ANN ARBOR — MITechNews is building a statewide directory of Michigan artificial intelligence companies designed to answer a deceptively simple question: Who is actually building Michigan’s AI economy?

The MITechNews Michigan AI Directory, scheduled to launch in September, will identify and categorize companies developing artificial intelligence products, platforms and services across the state.

MITechNews already has identified more than 90 AI companies and Michigan operations during preliminary research, stretching from Detroit and Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Saginaw and the Upper Peninsula.

Now we’re asking Michigan’s AI community to help us make the directory as complete and accurate as possible.

Is Your AI Company Missing?

If you operate an AI company in Michigan — or know of one that should be included — we want to hear from you.

Send the requested information to [email protected] with the subject line:

Michigan AI Directory Submission

MITechNews will review submissions before companies are added to the directory.

The MITechNews Michigan AI Directory is scheduled to launch in September 2026.

Our objective is straightforward:

Build the most comprehensive public map yet of the companies creating Michigan’s artificial intelligence economy.

What Companies Should Be Included?

MITechNews is looking primarily for companies for which artificial intelligence is a significant part of the product, technology or business.

That includes companies working in areas such as:

  • Generative AI and large language models
  • AI software and platforms
  • Autonomous vehicles and mobility
  • Robotics and physical AI
  • Manufacturing AI
  • Healthcare and life sciences AI
  • Cybersecurity
  • Computer vision
  • Machine learning and data analytics
  • Defense and aerospace AI
  • Financial technology
  • Agricultural AI
  • AI infrastructure, chips and edge computing
  • AI consulting and integration

Companies do not necessarily need to be headquartered in Michigan. Companies headquartered elsewhere may qualify if they maintain a significant Michigan office, research operation, engineering center or other substantial presence.

Simply using ChatGPT or another AI application in day-to-day business operations, however, would not by itself qualify a company for the directory.

What Information Should Companies Submit?

Michigan AI companies that want to be considered for inclusion should provide:

  • Company name
  • Michigan city and county
  • Company website
  • Year founded
  • CEO/founder and other key executives
  • Number of employees, including Michigan employees if different
  • A brief description of the company and what it does
  • How artificial intelligence is used in the company’s product or service
  • Primary AI category or specialty
  • Industries or customers served
  • Funding raised, if publicly disclosed
  • Recent major developments, including funding, product launches, expansions, major customers or hiring
  • Media, marketing or company contact name
  • Email address
  • Telephone number
  • LinkedIn and other relevant social media links

Companies also may submit a company logo and appropriate photographs for potential use with their directory profile or future MITechNews coverage.

Mapping Michigan’s Emerging AI Economy

One goal of the project is to determine just how large Michigan’s AI industry has become.

MITechNews’ preliminary research suggests the industry is considerably broader than the best-known AI and autonomous-vehicle companies clustered around Ann Arbor and Detroit.

AI companies are emerging in West Michigan, Mid-Michigan, the Great Lakes Bay Region, northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

The directory will allow readers to explore Michigan’s AI industry by geography and technology sector.

That could help entrepreneurs find potential partners, investors identify emerging companies, businesses locate AI vendors, workers identify potential employers and economic-development organizations better understand where Michigan’s AI businesses are forming.

Directory Will Support Expanded Michigan AI Coverage

The Michigan AI Directory is part of MITechNews’ broader expansion of its artificial intelligence coverage.

As AI moves rapidly from research laboratories into manufacturing plants, vehicles, hospitals, offices, defense systems and small businesses, MITechNews plans to track not only the technology but also the Michigan companies commercializing it.

The directory also will help MITechNews identify companies, entrepreneurs and technologies that deserve greater editorial attention.

The directory will not be considered finished when it launches. Michigan’s AI ecosystem is changing too rapidly for a static list.

New companies will be added, company information will be updated and new categories will be created as Michigan’s AI industry develops.