There’s a new, timely state organization, the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN), and it’s meeting the challenges AI presents. MAIN stands as the nation’s first statewide AI initiative. It was launched in collaboration with all 15 community colleges and several major universities including Mississippi State University, the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi.
MAIN also has partnerships with industry giants such as Intel Corporation and Dell Technologies. This initiative took shape through a grant awarded to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College from AccelerateMS, the state’s premier office for workforce development strategy and implementation. With funding from AccelerateMS, MAIN supports partner institutions in establishing AI labs and providing AI training. Dr. Kollin Napier, an employee of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, serves as the director of MAIN.
Jonathan Woodward, MGCCC executive vice president and principal investigator on the MAIN grant, noted that new technologies continue to have unexpected impacts at his institution. For example, MGCCC started using a chatbot to check in with students during their academic journey, which allowed for better-timed interventions with students.
“Implementing a chatbot actually added a human element,” Woodward said. “Students voiced issues to the chatbot that they would not have shared otherwise.”
Napier explains that a free introductory course is offered that’s tailored for educators and workforce members.
“Each course is structured into 16 modules over 16 weeks, totaling 64 hours of content. Despite the increasing demand from employers for AI-proficient graduates, only a limited number of organizations offer AI courses or programs,” he said.
The initial Intro to AI course is meticulously designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of AI, covering its technical intricacies, ethical considerations and practical applications.
“Through our Train-the-Trainer approach, participants delve into AI’s fundamental principles, contemporary uses, and ethical concerns crucial to its development and deployment. Topics such as bias, cultural impacts, regulatory frameworks, and professional standards are explored, offering a well-rounded perspective on AI,” Napier said.
MAIN has continued to grow by including both public and private organizations from various sectors throughout Mississippi. It’s objectives are to provide statewide leadership in AI and workforce development, attract innovative industries, and meet the educational and training needs across K-12 schools, community and technical colleges, universities, and various business sectors.
Napier hopes the course will allay fears some people have about AI.
“By the end of the course, participants not only gain a clearer comprehension of AI but also acquire the skills to navigate its complexities responsibly and contribute to its advancement. This knowledge is vital for dispelling concerns and enabling individuals to engage with AI confidently,” he said.
Woodward said, “We understand the concerns that come with embracing new technologies like AI. However, we believe it’s essential to approach these innovations with an open mind and to humanize AI. AI has the potential to revolutionize both our lives and the workforce, driving innovation and progress. When implemented responsibly and with a thorough understanding, AI becomes a powerful tool for positive change, offering numerous benefits to society.”
Since its inception, MAIN has expanded its network to include additional public and private organizations across Mississippi, welcoming all entities at no cost. This initiative positions Mississippi as a frontrunner in AI development. MAIN’s objectives are clear: lead statewide efforts in addressing AI and workforce needs for Mississippi’s future; attract innovative AI and advanced technology industries and employers; cater to the needs of AI education and workforce training across Mississippi, from K-12 schools to community and technical colleges, universities, and businesses.
In the future, MAIN plans to offer more courses from Intel’s AI for Workforce Program on Canvas, including AI for Manufacturing and Introduction to Generative AI, among others. Some courses require no prerequisites and provide no-code tools for practical AI interactions, while others such as Intro to Machine Learning and AI for Computer Vision target technical participants but remain accessible to all once ready and offered.
“As we prepare for an innovative AI future and meet the growing demand for AI-related jobs, it’s crucial to establish training programs. MAIN utilizes Intel’s AI for Workforce program to assist institutions in understanding and addressing this demand,” Woodward said.
Partner institutions of MAIN will receive a copy of the Canvas course for their personnel to enroll in. For example, personnel at Mississippi State University will have their own dedicated course.
Additionally, workforce members across Mississippi can enroll through Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Looking ahead, Woodward says MGCCC envisions a future where AI plays a central role.
“This includes establishing new programs, revitalizing existing courses, embedding AI into the general education core, and integrating AI into college operations,” he said. “MAIN represents the first step towards realizing these ambitions, marking the nation’s inaugural statewide AI initiative.”
Intel also has a commitment to stay up to date on AI changes occurring and will provide updates through their curriculum as time moves forward. MAIN wants to stay on top of the latest AI changes and AI in responses to jobs and the growing job market.
“We request that individuals help raise awareness of MAIN across Mississippi. While MAIN actively engages on social media, distributes materials, and works on ongoing promotional efforts, we encourage people to support us by following, sharing, reacting, and engaging with our content,” Napier said. “We aim to expand this support to all sectors of the workforce in Mississippi.”
Source: https://msbusinessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/May-2024.pdf#page=22&zoom=auto,-84,920