By Cameron Lee
June 16, 2026
Photo: Jo Hayes
Minh Ngo, executive director of the Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce and founder of Mint Hill Marketing, said she wanted to “go back to that era… around 2011 and 2012,” when there were more workshops, technology summits, and conferences that were free to the public.
“I wanted to bring that back. It’s basically free education — really, really good information that’s accessible to everyone,” she said.
Ngo, who recently stepped into the executive director role to help lead CAACC into its next chapter, believes the free Charlotte AI Summit on June 18 at Central Piedmont Community College’s Parr Center — made possible through support from Barings — is not only needed but vital for helping workers across the community transition into new roles as industries rebuild their infrastructure around AI technologies. The summit expands on CAACC’s ongoing workforce development initiatives, including its involvement with the City of Charlotte’s Learn2Earn program.
According to McKinsey & Company’s State of AI survey, 88% of organizations were already using AI in at least one business function as of late 2025, while 86% of employers expect the technology to significantly transform their businesses by 2030. At the same time, nearly 60% of workers worldwide are expected to require new skills as AI continues to reshape the workplace.
“We wanted to concentrate on the workforce development aspect because that’s really important,” Ngo said. “That’s the reason we’re doing this — to focus on upskilling, while also helping more Asian leaders move into executive roles.”
Small businesses are also adopting AI at an unprecedented rate. According to a 2025 QuickBooks survey, 68% of U.S. small businesses now use AI regularly, while 74% report productivity gains from the technology. Many business owners continue to face challenges understanding how to implement AI effectively, creating a growing demand for practical education and networking opportunities.
The Charlotte AI Summit was created to address many of the challenges emerging alongside the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence. As AI reshapes industries and employers increasingly seek workers with digital and AI-related skills, many professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and job seekers are struggling to keep pace with technological change. The summit aims to bridge that gap by providing free access to information from industry leaders and offering practical education.
Through discussions on AI in healthcare, finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, and leadership, attendees will gain insights into how AI is being used in real-world settings while building connections with employers, executives, and innovators from organizations such as Amazon Web Services, Gartner, Citi, TIAA, and MedStar Health.
Ngo said more than 435 people registered for last year’s summit, with over 250 attending in person. She emphasized that the event is not limited to the Asian American community, but is open to anyone interested in learning about AI, expanding their professional network, and exploring new career opportunities.
The Charlotte AI Summit begins at 8:30 a.m. with an executive breakfast and Turkish coffee from Zembra’s Coffee, followed by a full day of discussions exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming industries and the workforce. Attendees will also enjoy bento-box lunches by Suki Fusion, and an afternoon ice cream social with Urban Sweets.
Beyond the main-stage programming, the summit will feature a specialized Executive AI Lab with hands-on sessions covering AI implementation, marketing automation, development platforms, governance, and enterprise adoption strategies.
Students, entrepreneurs, and young professionals can also participate in the NextGen + Innovation experience, featuring startup showcases, career pathway discussions, innovation demonstrations, mentor connections, networking opportunities, and workforce development resources.
Check out the full schedule for the Charlotte AI Summit 2026, taking place Thursday, June 18, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Central Piedmont Community College’s Parr Center, and register for free here.
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Following the Charlotte AI Summit, attendees can continue the networking at a Cantonese buffet at Open Rice, followed by a South Korea vs. Mexico World Cup watch party at Seoul Food inside Urban District Market.
Sponsored by the Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce.
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