AI Innovation Hub
Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) Announces AI Innovation Hub Partnership with Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) and Amazon Web Services (AWS)
The Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to launch the AI Innovation Hub. This collaboration will accelerate AI transformation across Mississippi, benefiting state agencies, higher education institutions, and businesses through innovation, workforce training, and practical AI implementation.
The AI Innovation Hub will serve as a statewide resource to coordinate and implement AI initiatives—bridging academia, government, and industry.
Key Components of the Partnership
- Proof of Concept (POC) Investment: AWS will fund AI application proof-of-concept projects using AWS landing zones operated by ITS. Higher education students will gain access to a sandbox environment for building POCs and gaining workforce-ready experience.
- Educational Investment: AWS will contribute an AI/ML curriculum tailored for higher education, supported by MAIN. This includes hands-on labs, workshops, and certification pathways for AWS AI/ML specialties.
- Digital Innovation Team Support: ITS, AWS, and MAIN will lead strategic workshops for agencies and institutions to explore AI use cases and build actionable innovation roadmaps.
- AWS Advisory Committee: A joint advisory committee made up of ITS, MAIN, and AWS will guide and support the deployment of AI-driven initiatives across sectors.
- Economic Impact: AWS’s investment in Mississippi’s AI/ML Local Zone data centers will strengthen the state’s tech infrastructure and expand economic opportunities.
The AI Innovation Hub draws inspiration from successful models like Massachusetts’ InnovateMA and aims to become a central platform for submitting AI use cases, sharing POC outcomes, and connecting student innovators with career pathways.
“The AI Innovation Hub represents a bold investment in Mississippi’s future,” said Dr. Kollin Napier, Director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN). “By aligning education, infrastructure, and innovation, this partnership empowers our institutions, agencies, and workforce to lead in the age of AI.”
Interested in learning more? Contact InnovationHub@its.ms.gov or visit our official submission page below.
Get Involved
Submit a use case or request training here.