Heartland Forward joins Microsoft TechSpark program

Bentonville-based Heartland Forward announced Monday (Dec. 1) that it will work with Microsoft to expand economic opportunity, job creation and innovation in the central United States through the Microsoft TechSpark initiative.

The TechSpark Community Engagement Fellowship is a key part of the initiative. According to a news release, Microsoft selected Mary Larkin Furlow, senior manager at Heartland Forward, as a TechSpark fellow. Furlow will support Heartland Forward’s efforts to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) education and readiness, strengthen regional competitiveness and expand the talent pipeline in the central United States.

“The heartland is where I was born, raised, started my career and chose to build my life — and I know when heartland communities get the right training and resources, they thrive,” Furlow said. “I am honored to be selected as a TechSpark Community Engagement Fellow and join a network of leaders and innovators working to make AI a tool for economic opportunity for all.”

Heartland Forward joins a select group of TechSpark Fellows, comprising nonprofit leaders across every state nationwide. Since its inception in 2017, Microsoft TechSpark has helped communities in the United States and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, receive more than $700 million, provide skills to 65,000 people and create 4,500 jobs.

“When communities are trusted and empowered to lead, they not only catch up — they leap forward,” said Mike Egan, general manager at Microsoft TechSpark. “Through TechSpark Fellows, we are deepening our work in local communities to ensure AI becomes a bridge, not a barrier, to local prosperity and innovation.”

Heartland Forward has been applying policy, research, and community programs to help the central United States lead in AI use by convening the Heartland AI Caucus, developing a first-of-its-kind gamified AI curriculum for students and entrepreneurs, and conducting polling to learn how residents feel about using AI. It has also hosted AI salon dinners and AI roundtables to gather feedback about AI’s potential in central U.S. states.

“Mary Larkin has played a vital role in strengthening regional competitiveness across the heartland,” said Angie Cooper, president of Heartland Forward. “As a TechSpark Fellow, she will help bring AI training and opportunity to more people, creating jobs and preparing the heartland to lead in the economy of the future. We are excited to work alongside Microsoft and connect their expertise with communities across the region.”