If you’re a business leader in Louisville wondering what AI means for you, you’re not alone. That’s precisely why Slingshot and the University of Louisville College of Business are launching the Louisville AI Exchange, a new monthly meetup series designed to connect, inspire, and empower the local AI-curious community, without sales pitches or agendas.
This meetup will be a space where professionals from all walks (business, tech, government, and startups) can come together and ask the fundamental questions: What’s working? What’s not? What are others doing with AI that’s solving real problems?
Slingshot CEO David Galownia put it best: “There’s momentum in the city, there’s curiosity, but we want to build a shared place to talk about it.” Across Louisville, businesses are grappling with how AI fits into their teams, processes, and strategic goals.
So, What Is It?
Louisville AI Exchange is a monthly, community-driven series co-hosted by Slingshot and the University of Louisville College of Business, in partnership with local thought leaders and organizations. Each meetup will feature:
- Casual networking (bring a friend or meet someone new)
- Open mic sessions to share ideas or use cases
- A 30-minute lightning talk from a featured speaker
- Q&A and good conversation
This isn’t a lecture series; it’s honest, peer-led sharing and learning. “It’s not about lecturing people,” said Chris Howard, CIO at Slingshot. “It’s about surfacing real use cases and giving people a place to learn from each other. This city is hungry for that kind of exchange.”
Who are the speakers?
Each month features voices from across Louisville: leaders, builders, and doers who are leveraging AI in their organizations. Hear real-life stories of actual AI implementations within organizations. The pain points, the success, the unexpected, the learnings.
📍 First Event Details
Date: Thursday, August 14, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM ET
Location: Ten20 Butchertown
Topic: AI-Powered Rapid Innovation: How AI is Transforming Roles in Tech
Panel: Sarah Bhatia, Doug Compton, and Rachel Foster
Moderator: Dr. Jeff Guan
Sarah Bhatia
Principal Product Lead
Slingshot
Rachel Foster
Principal Designer
Slingshot
Doug Compton
Principal Developer
Slingshot
Dr. Jeff Guan
Associate Dean
UofL COB
Why “Exchange”?
Because this isn’t just about absorbing information; it’s about sharing it. We designed this event to create a flywheel of knowledge, connection, and possibility in Louisville.
Dr. Jeff Guan, UofL’s Associate Dean for Programs and a partner in the initiative, highlighted the potential for impact: “There are early-stage founders, enterprise teams, and local government leaders trying to understand how to move forward with AI. This kind of shared space can accelerate innovation across all of those groups.”
Want to Get Involved?
We’re actively seeking partners, speakers, and collaborators to help shape the Exchange going forward.
If you have a story to share about how your organization is utilizing AI, or you’re interested in hosting or sponsoring a session, let’s discuss.
Email Savannah at savannah@yslingshot.com.
What’s Next?
After our August launch, you can expect new sessions each month, with the next one scheduled for September 25th at Ten20 Butchertown.
We’ll announce future dates and topics regularly. If the first session isn’t for you, the next one might be!
“We think of this like a local lab for ideas,” said Dan Murphy, Executive Director of Slingshot Ventures. “It’s where people get to experiment out loud and see how others are solving similar challenges. That’s how innovation happens.”
Join Us at the First Louisville AI Exchange
We’re excited to launch something new for this city. Come curious, leave inspired.
