Forget what you’ve heard about the ‘Rust Belt’. AI breakthroughs are happening right here at the intersection of Euclid and East 9th. We’re seeing a shift where AI isn’t just a tool-it’s the new infrastructure. Whether it’s the Cavs serving fans with their own unique experience, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame preserving history, or the Cleveland Clinic tracking changes in health, Cleveland businesses aren’t just using AI: they’re mastering it. Here is how the 216 is leading the charge into the future.
Courtside Innovation: How the Cavs Mastered Real-Time Engagement
The Cavaliers faced a major challenge: how could they engage fans with unique experiences instantly? How could they share the same energy during the crucial point in a season with fans? The Cavaliers solution to this was with their AI video campaign to provide personalized in real-time highlights. They became the first NBA team to offer personalized highlights with AI-powered app integration. Georgia Sapounas, Senior Director of digital products and innovation for the Cleveland Cavaliers, shared the example that “Any incredible three-point play that happens during a game is captured automatically, so it can be shared across every single platform that we have.” Cleveland Cavaliers Case Study
Through the Cavs App, you have the ability to identify your favorite player or type of play. AI delivers these specific highlights to you in real-time.
The team also found a way to celebrate each fan’s unique season attendance. Using a video summary campaign, each fan was able to get access to their own statistics. Such as games attended, points witnessed, and -most sentimental – their own personal attendance record. How The Cavs Increased Engagement And Boosted Fan Loyalty With A Hyper-Personalized Video – Blings
While the Cavs are using AI to change how we watch the game, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is using it to change how we remember history.
Rescuing Priceless Archives from Aging Tape
To inspire through rock and roll, the Rock Hall offers audio files for all guests to experience. The Rock Hall’s Library and Archives Department preserve the master files of induction ceremonies, artist interviews, and original concert footage. When the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame opened in 1995, many records were stored on physical linear tapes. The aging infrastructure was becoming expensive and prone to failure.
“As the tech landscape progressed from the non-digital to digital, our archival storage system had become unmanageable and unsustainable,” says Tim Parnin, VP of digital technology at the Rock Hall. “We had unique and priceless files on media that we couldn’t access anymore. We wanted to get our digital files sitting in a singular location that could be searchable and discoverable by our internal team and shared with the public.”
Amazon’s AWS partnered up with the Rock Hall to restore data that was stored on the physical tapes. They were able to achieve 0% data loss. Ensuring future generations access to the rock and roll history that could have been lost if not handled correctly. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is preserving rock music history with Amazon S3 Glacier Deep Archive | AWS for M&E Blog
Beyond entertainment and history, the most critical application of AI in the 216 is happening within our healthcare system. Specifically, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic are proving that AI can be a life-saving partner for doctors.
Saving Lives with Speed: AI at the Cleveland Clinic
Healthcare professionals use AI to enhance well-being, not replace jobs. AI programs implemented at Cleveland Clinic assist with faster care for emergencies. AI can analyze brain scans and flag blocked blood vessels for stroke victims. “We save precious time by having AI be the first and fastest agent to triage those images,” says diagnostic radiologist Po-Hao Chen, MD. “If you find a person who’s having a stroke, you can mobilize resources to treat it.” How AI Is Used in Healthcare
AI is creating new opportunities for personalized treatment plans. For instance, In March 2026, the Clinic published a study showing that a medically trained AI system can screen electronic health records with 96.2% accuracy to identify candidates for rare disease trials. This process identified eligible patients who were missed by traditional methods, including a significantly more diverse group of participants. AI-Driven Chart Review Accurately Identifies Potential Rare Disease Trial Participants in New Study
Cleveland’s story has always been one of grit and transformation. From the industrial roar of the 20th century to the silent, lightning-fast processing of 2026, the “216” is proving that legacy industries don’t have to be left behind. Whether it’s preserving the priceless history of rock and roll, revolutionizing the fan experience at center court, or saving lives through quantum-speed medical research, Cleveland isn’t just participating in the AI age—we’re building its foundation. As we look toward the future, one thing is clear: the intersection of Euclid and East 9th is the new world center for innovation.
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