BISMARK, ND, UNITED STATES, August 18, 2026/ -- Artificial intelligence is often associated with Silicon Valley and large technology companies, but Germain Bebe, co-founder and president of OJAI, says small towns and rural communities can use AI to address practical problems without massive technology budgets.
Bebe made the case during a recent appearance on KFYR-TV's News Desk, explaining how communities already collect valuable environmental information but often struggle to connect data spread across spreadsheets, paper records, departments, and disconnected software systems.
The Data Problem Facing Small Communities
A town monitoring water quality, tracking illegal dumping, managing soil health, or documenting changes in its environment may already have the information it needs to identify problems. The challenge is bringing those pieces together in a way local leaders and residents can actually understand.
“What AI really does is become an assistant to connect all those scattered data points instantly,” Bebe told KFYR-TV. “And gives local leaders a really clear way to have visual insights so they can fix problems before they turn into major environmental issues.”
Bebe's experience working with environmental nonprofits for more than a decade exposed him to organizations facing many of the same problems: disconnected information, difficulty finding resources, and environmental data that was often too complicated for the public to use.
The Cost of Disconnected Technology
Those challenges also have a financial component. According to Bebe, many municipalities continue to rely on legacy systems that have accumulated over decades without being connected to one another, forcing organizations to use multiple software programs to manage related work.
OJAI was designed to bring those functions together on a single platform. Community data contributed by partners is free to access, while organizations pay for business tools, with pricing of less than $2,400 per year.
The approach is intended to give smaller communities and organizations a more predictable technology cost while making environmental information easier to access and share.
AI as a Co-Pilot, Not a Replacement
Bebe also addressed concerns about AI replacing human decision-making. On OJAI, the AI component is optional, and users can access the platform without using AI.
“People have to look at AI as a force multiplier,” Bebe said. “The AI section is completely optional. You can use the entire platform without ever touching the AI.”
For Bebe, AI should help people identify connections within information and consider possible scenarios, while decisions remain with the people who understand their communities.
He also emphasized the importance of local knowledge, encouraging residents to document environmental changes they observe rather than assuming those observations are insignificant.
“Your community data is super important,” Bebe said. “Wherever you are, whatever you're discovering outside your door is incredibly important. Never minimize it.”
The full KFYR-TV interview with Germain Bebe is available at: https://www.kfyrtv.com/video/2026/08/13/ai-small-town-resources-8132026/
About Germain Bebe
Germain Bebe is a technology founder and co-founder and president of OJAI. His work focuses on the intersection of technology, AI, environmental organizations, and community-driven environmental action.
About OJAI
OJAI is a technology platform designed to help environmental, ocean, and climate organizations connect people, data, resources, and impact through a unified digital platform.
Founded by Germain Bebe and Dr. Tiara Moore, OJAI provides tools for community building, resource sharing, interactive mapping, and environmental collaboration.
Website: www.ojai.global
Instagram: @ojaicommunity
MEDIA CONTACT:
Name: Germain Bebe
Email: Germain@bims.org
