Amid a global artificial intelligence race, Columbus investors and business leaders are urging each other to go all-in on AI before it's too late.

Why it matters: AI is reshaping Ohio's public schools, universities, law enforcement and more, and Central Ohio's business community is likewise putting AI at the forefront of its plans.

Driving the news: Last week's ED411 conference brought together investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders and community officials to discuss the region's future.

• A key theme of the conference: Embrace AI now or be left behind.

The most popular keynote of the day was led by Mark Kvamme, co-founder of The O.H.I.O. Fund and Drive Capital, who conveyed a sense of urgency about AI and described the paradigm shift he believes is happening.

What they're saying: "I have no idea where this world is going to go. In the next five years, we will not recognize the world we live in," he told attendees.

• "AI is impacting everything, and great wealth is being created."

Case in point: Kvamme was joined on stage by Chad Delligatti, CEO of InnoSource, and Peter Coratola, president and CEO of EASE Logistics, both of whom relayed the massive efficiencies they've created for their Dublin-based businesses thanks to AI.

• Delligatti said AI has helped his recruiters halve the time it takes to process the "sea of résumés" received for in-demand jobs.
• And EASE's account representatives once took 15 minutes to provide a quote that now takes 30 seconds with the help of AI, Coratola said.

Threat level: "If you do not do this, your competition is doing this," Kvamme said. "And we'll put you out of business."

What we're watching: Kvamme tells Axios he "can't think of an industry" that won't be affected by AI and its growth.

• "If they don't start adopting and understanding how AI can benefit their businesses today, I fundamentally believe you will be out of business in five years. Everybody."

The big picture: The future of Ohio and its business community will be shaped by the success of efforts to chase down "trillion-dollar market opportunities," JobsOhio president and CEO J.P. Nauseef told the conference.

• Such opportunities "are in the supersectors — semiconductors and microelectronics, advanced aerospace and defense, life sciences and biotech, artificial intelligence and energy leadership."

Flashback: Kvamme is inspired by Ohio's role in the industrial boom of the early 20th century, when the state was one of the country's most important manufacturing centers and economic drivers.

What's next: He wants the state to combine that history with a forward-looking view on AI to capitalize on the moment.

• "We're not going to invent the [large language models] here, we don't have the engineering resources," he tells Axios.
• "But I like to say that Ohio's going to be the place where we create AI applied intelligence, because we're a state that makes things."

USPS Operation Santa is on track to deliver more gifts this year, but organizers say many wishes still need to be granted.

Why it matters: Even Santa needs help sometimes.

What we're hearing: "​​We receive far more letters than those adopted," USPS' Jonathan Castillo told Axios.

• "Our biggest need right now is more adopters to help fulfill all the wishes we continue to receive. For those able and willing, adopting a family letter is the best way to share the magic of the holidays with an entire household all at once."

How it works: People visit the Operation Santa website to create an account and read letters from children of all ages across the country. Verified users "adopt" letters and send requested gifts by a deadline to ensure they receive packages by Christmas Day.

• New this year is an expanded online gift catalog powered by Toys R Us. Through the Santa's Gift Shoppe feature, adopters can select and ship gifts directly to the recipient.

You've still got time: Dec. 13 is the last day to adopt letters and ship gifts.

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🏈 Tickets to the Cotton Bowl, where the Buckeyes will face either Miami or Texas A&M, go on sale at 10am tomorrow. (OSU)

• OSU is still the betting favorite to win the national championship, despite Saturday's loss to Indiana. (ESPN)

⚖️ The Ohio Supreme Court needs more language interpreters and has loosened its requirements amid surging demand. (The Ohio Newsroom)

Columbus City Schools officials are investigating allegations that a first-grade teacher made students rub his feet during class. (WCMH-TV)

More wintry weather is coming, with up to a half-inch of snow expected tomorrow evening and some flurries Thursday and Friday.

Yes, but: There's no need to pester your Facebook friends with "How are the roads?" posts.

• Several communities offer interactive maps where residents can monitor road treatments in real time.
• The tracking tools also explain which roads are top priority during a snowstorm.

Dig in:

Columbus Warrior Watch

Hilliard SnowPaths

Dublin Snow Go

Westerville Road Warriors

Plus: ODOT's OHGO map provides real-time highway conditions every day, including traffic, construction and weather hazards.

Jet Greaves' impressive play between the pipes has some ready to anoint him as the Jackets' primary goalie.

State of play: The 24-year-old played sporadically over three previous seasons before getting his chance to shine this year.

• He's given up the same number of goals as fellow Columbus netminder Elvis Merzļikins, despite having played 311 more minutes on the ice this season.

Get to know the Canadian goalie:

🥋 About that name … His full name is Calvin Jet Greaves, named after martial artist Jet Li.

🥊 He's an underdog. Considered undersized at just 6 feet tall, Greaves wasn't drafted and earned his way to Columbus through hockey's minor leagues.

✨ Like Glinda, he's popular: "He's a hard-working young man, but he's such a good person," former head coach Pascal Vincent said after Greaves' first NHL victory in 2023.

• "He's the kind of guy that if you have an average day and you're around Jet, you feel better all of a sudden. Everybody is cheering for him. I'm really happy for him."