We have yet another reason to watch Mississippi, which has trained thousands of educators and staff through a network of education agencies, colleges, industry associations and technology partners.

The network’s director offers an overview of the initiative in this blog post. SREB will continue to bring you AI in education ideas from Southern states. Subscribe to get updates in your inbox. 
─ Jeff Gagne, SREB Director of Policy Analysis

The Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) is the nation’s first statewide AI initiative, addressing the rapid emergence of AI and its impact on various workforce sectors. Established through strategic partnerships, MAIN is positioning Mississippi as a leader in AI, fostering economic growth and ensuring a prosperous future for the state. MAIN’s objectives include providing statewide leadership in AI, attracting and growing innovative AI industries, and meeting the educational and workforce training needs of Mississippi’s K-12 schools, community and technical colleges, universities, and businesses.

MAIN employs the AI for Workforce curriculum designed by Intel, which also provides technical expertise and support as a key partner. MAIN offers workforce training tailored to industry needs and runs AI awareness campaigns to educate the broader population about AI’s potential and ethical implications. Other partners, such as Dell Technologies, AccelerateMS, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Mississippi Community College Board, Mississippi Association of Community Colleges, and Mississippi Manufacturing Association, contribute infrastructure support, industry collaboration and educational partnerships.

MAIN has launched three comprehensive AI courses for tens
of thousands of higher education employees
and enrolled over 1,100 K-12 teachers in AI courses.

MAIN’s educational partners include all 15 community colleges and several major universities in Mississippi, working together to facilitate AI education and training. MAIN works with these institutions to establish AI labs funded by AccelerateMS and engages with a wide range of public and private sectors, including major companies and state organizations such as the Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, and Mississippi Cyber Initiative.

To date, MAIN has launched three comprehensive AI courses for tens of thousands of higher education employees, enrolled over 1,100 K-12 teachers in AI courses, and reached hundreds of workforce members across all sectors.

These courses, adapted from Intel’s AI for Workforce curriculum,
are available to all Mississippians for free.

They are self-paced, “train-the-trainer” courses offered on Canvas for ease of use and accessibility.

Looking ahead, MAIN is expanding its reach by partnering with additional educational and industry organizations, increasing interest from various sectors, and promoting AI leadership and education through statewide initiatives. MAIN’s commitment to advancing AI education and awareness is evident in its ongoing efforts to support educators, institutions and industries across Mississippi.

Kollin Napier of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College serves as the director of MAIN. For more information, contact Napier at MAIN@mgccc.edu or (228) 897-4377.