▸ The_Mission
Helping Western Mass keep up with AI — without the hype.
AI is weird. We'll make it useful. This project exists so that the people who run things, make things, and sell things around here don't get left behind — or talked down to.
▸ Why_this_exists
The gap is real.
AI is changing how work gets done — fast. But almost everything written about it is aimed at Silicon Valley, investors, or engineers. Meanwhile, the cafe owner in Amherst, the contractor in Belchertown, and the nonprofit operator in Greenfield are busy running real things.
They don't need another think piece. They need to know which tools are worth their time, which prompts actually work, and what people nearby are doing that they could do too.
▸ Why_local_matters
Figuring it out is better together.
A national newsletter can tell you what an AI tool does. A local one can introduce you to the realtor in Northampton who's already using it — and the workshop in the Valley where you can learn it yourself.
Western Mass is full of smart, scrappy, independent people. When they share what's working, everyone keeps up faster.
▸ The_Human
About Patrick
Keeping Up With The Robots was started by Patrick Hourihan in Western Massachusetts as a way to help local people keep up with AI without getting buried in hype.
Patrick uses AI tools hands-on to build websites, apps, automations, content systems, and business workflows. He started this project because small business owners, local professionals, and curious builders need a practical place to learn what's actually useful — and a way to meet others nearby who are figuring it out too. He's learning and testing right alongside everyone else; the newsletter is just where the notes get shared.
Outside of this project, Patrick is involved locally through Belchertown Animal Control, BARC, and volunteer work with Dakin Humane Society.
Want to say hi, share what you're building, or suggest a local use case? Get in touch →
▸ Keep_Up