Empowering SWFL: 1 Free Collaboratory AI Workshop Series Fort Myers Launch

The new Collaboratory AI workshop series Fort Myers initiative is officially kicking off with a free public workshop on Friday, August 14, 2026, delivering practical artificial intelligence training to business owners and professionals across Southwest Florida. Taking place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Collaboratory’s headquarters (2031 Jackson St. in downtown Fort Myers), the inaugural session focuses on teaching companies how to deploy artificial intelligence tools safely while protecting proprietary business data and client privacy.

As generative AI and automated data systems become baseline tools for commercial operations along the Gulf coast, small businesses face growing challenges regarding cyber risk, intellectual property governance, and network security. This workshop series is designed to eliminate guesswork, offering actionable steps for integrating AI models into daily business workflows without exposing sensitive internal assets.

Expert Guidance for the Collaboratory AI Workshop Series Fort Myers Launch

The August 14 kickoff brings together regional technology leaders and business consultants to provide high-level, practical guidance. Hosted as part of the AI Fridays curriculum, the session features keynote presentations and interactive discussions led by industry experts:

• Heidi Cramer (Florida SBDC at FGCU): Representing the Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University, Cramer will address strategic adoption frameworks, cost-effective software selection, and practical ways small teams can leverage AI to improve administrative efficiency.

• Bruce Kelly (Vivitec): Technology and cybersecurity expert Bruce Kelly will focus on data privacy, secure network architecture, and methods for running local AI instances within private business firewalls to prevent data leaks.

Key learning outcomes for participants at the inaugural workshop include:

1. Data Protection & Privacy Protocols: How to ensure employee input and customer data are not used to train public third-party AI models.

2. Private Network Integration: Configuring safe internal environments for team collaboration and automated document processing.

3. Responsible AI Policy Creation: Establishing workplace guidelines for clear content creation, workflow automation, and ethical technology usage.

Driven by the SWFL HI AI Innovation Hub

This workshop series represents a flagship educational program produced by the SWFL HI AI Innovation Hub, a regional alliance established to foster responsible artificial intelligence adoption, tech sector investment, and workforce development across Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties.

By bringing together academic resources from FGCU, technical expertise from private IT firms, and civic space from Collaboratory, the initiative ensures that Southwest Florida’s small business community remains competitive alongside national industry peers.

Connecting Technology Adoption to Regional Business Growth

The launch of the Collaboratory AI workshop series Fort Myers reflects a broader technological and economic evolution taking place across Southwest Florida. From commercial aviation and real estate to municipal planning and construction, private firms across the region are increasingly turning to advanced software to streamline operations.

To see how AI technology is already transforming major regional infrastructure projects, review our feature story on how AI is building the $1.2B RSW terminal expansion. Furthermore, to explore other local business resources and municipal development initiatives, check out our recent coverage of the Cape Coral home services business roundtable or read about fiscal performance trends in the Fort Myers fiscal year financial report.

Workshop Event & Registration Details

For online registration links, event schedules, or venue details, business leaders can consult resources hosted on the Official Collaboratory Portal.