The Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) is Mississippi’s official statewide model for AI workforce development. Launched in 2023 by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) as the operational anchor, MAIN unites all 15 public community colleges, all eight public universities, K-12 districts, state and local government agencies, and industry partners to deliver coordinated, equitable, and scalable AI education and training across the state.
FAQ
Why MAIN Was Created – The Critical Issue
Before 2023, Mississippi’s AI efforts were fragmented: individual institutions ran isolated pilots, duplicated curriculum, and competed for limited expertise. Without a coordinated statewide system, AI-driven workforce transformation risked widening existing gaps in educational attainment and rural access. MAIN was launched to eliminate duplication, align institutions around shared outcomes, and ensure every Mississippian — especially in rural communities — has access to high-quality AI readiness.
Our Statewide AI Adoption Framework
MAIN’s award-winning framework uses two complementary dimensions:
- Concentric Circles of Adoption – phased expansion: Higher Education → K-12 & State/Local Government → Business & Industry
- Four Quadrants of AI Application – Student/Customer Development, Curriculum/Product Development, Organizational Development, and Workforce/Employee Development
This structure has enabled rapid, responsible scaling while keeping institutions autonomous yet aligned (“we compete collectively and operate independently”).
Program Goals & How MAIN Delivers Results
- Statewide Leadership – addressing AI and workforce needs for Mississippi’s future
- Attract Innovative Industry – drawing advanced technology employers to the state
- Meet Education & Training Needs – serving K-12, higher education, and Mississippi businesses
Key delivery mechanisms include:
- Free, statewide, self-paced AI & GenAI courses on Canvas (Intel-aligned foundation)
- Stackable credentials and crosswalked learning outcomes between non-credit and credit programs
- Train-the-trainer faculty development and institutional readiness support
- Sector-specific applied pilots and the Mississippi AI Innovation Hub (with ITS and AWS)
Documented Outcomes & Impact (as of 2026)
- 6,000+ workforce learners enrolled in or completed AI training
- 4,000+ K-12 educators earned CEUs or instructional credit
- 25,000+ cumulative hours of no-cost AI education delivered statewide
- All public institutions now have established AI labs
- Thousands of higher-education faculty and staff with access to AI curriculum and professional development
MAIN has transformed Mississippi from fragmented pilots into a unified, scalable AI ecosystem recognized nationally and in state legislative forums.
Governance, Leadership & Funding
MGCCC serves as the operational hub, providing fiscal accountability, curriculum updates, partnership management, and statewide reporting. Initial seed funding came from a $1 million Workforce Enhancement Training (WET) grant from AccelerateMS (2023). In November 2024, Governor Tate Reeves awarded MGCCC a $7.1 million RESTORE Act grant to scale the already-operational network statewide.
Strategic Partners
Founding partners: Intel Corporation, Dell Technologies, AccelerateMS, Mississippi Association of Community Colleges (MACC), Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB), and Mississippi Manufacturing Association (MMA).
Expanded partnerships now include: Amazon Web Services (AWS), NVIDIA, Snowflake, Google, the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS), and many more.
MAIN AI Labs – Building the Future Workforce
With AccelerateMS funding, state-of-the-art AI labs were established at every public institution. These labs serve as organic growth platforms for AI-ready workspaces, new program development, hands-on research, and future-forward degree pathways — directly supporting Mississippi’s economic development goals.
Strength, Scalability & Lessons for the Field
MAIN’s modular, low-cost, Canvas-based design, distributed governance, and concentric-circles strategy make the model highly replicable for other states. Key lessons: sequencing matters, collaboration outperforms duplication, faculty capacity is foundational, free access drives equity, and applied relevance sustains momentum.
Start Your AI Training Today – Free for All Mississippians
Enroll now in no-cost AI and Generative AI courses provided by MAIN. Scan the QR code or visit mainms.org.
Contact: Dr. Kollin Napier, MAIN Director • MAIN@mgccc.edu