Technology
OpiAID: The AI Innovation Billings Businesses Need to Know About This Month
A local startup applying artificial intelligence to opioid treatment stands out amid Billings' expanding tech activity.
How we reported this
Billings startup OpiAID is applying artificial intelligence to opioid treatment and has drawn attention as the local company professionals should watch this month.
Billings is emerging as a tech hub with startups experiencing 18% growth since 2022, and OpiAID is one of the firms driving that expansion through its AI work. The city's first AI security policy, adopted in 2026, sets rules against uploading sensitive personal information to models and outlines ethical and privacy standards that apply to any business testing similar tools.
Local deployments already showing results
Retailers and sales teams in Billings are already running practical AI tools that cut labor costs and reduce errors. Pilots using machine learning for demand forecasting have lowered forecast error by approximately 33 percent, while personalization features have lifted revenue between 5 and 15 percent. Sales professionals who use the tools frequently report productivity gains of about 47 percent and save roughly 12 hours per week on routine outreach and lead qualification.
Everyday applications include 24/7 AI chatbots that handle FAQs, OCR systems that speed invoice capture, and inventory monitors that trigger automatic reorders ahead of peak rodeo weekends. These match the kinds of projects discussed at recurring events hosted by the Montana High Tech Business Alliance.
Where to see the work in action
The Bigskynet AI Development Consortium meets every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Rock31 Entrepreneurship Center on North Broadway, with a virtual option available. The INTERFACE conference on information security and business continuity is set for August 11 at the Northern Hotel Grand Ballroom. Both gatherings give Billings professionals direct access to the companies and techniques behind the numbers.
Businesses considering their own pilots can start by reviewing the city's 2026 AI security policy before testing chatbots or forecasting models. Attending one of the weekly Bigskynet sessions offers a low-risk way to compare approaches already running in local retail and sales operations.