News · Published · By Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN)
Alcorn State University, a partner in the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN), announced a separate agreement with NVIDIA on April 7, 2026, to develop a DGX Spark laboratory at its Lorman campus. The project builds on the MAIN AI lab Alcorn had already established with AccelerateMS funding.
At an event in Jackson, Alcorn said the new laboratory would begin with 15 DGX Spark systems, with plans to expand to 25. The university set a fall 2026 launch target.
What the new lab adds
That earlier lab was part of MAIN’s work with colleges and universities across the state to expand access to AI education and equipment. Alcorn described the campus lab effort in 2024, when MAIN Director Dr. Kollin Napier spoke at its faculty and staff institute about AI labs planned for partner institutions, including Alcorn. AccelerateMS has supported MAIN’s statewide work.
The DGX Spark project would add more specialized computing to that foundation as AI hardware and software continue to change. NVIDIA describes DGX Spark as a compact system for developing and running AI models locally. Alcorn has identified teacher preparation, agriculture and workforce training among the areas it wants to advance, and has emphasized access for first-generation and Pell-eligible students. The project would place those resources on an HBCU campus and connect them to Alcorn’s teaching and land-grant mission.
A campus project within Mississippi’s statewide work
Mississippi’s 2025 agreement with NVIDIA set out a statewide collaboration on AI education, workforce development and research. It named MAIN as a collaborator on programs across community colleges, universities and technical institutions. Alcorn was already part of MAIN’s network when the state signed that agreement.
Alcorn’s April announcement connects its own NVIDIA agreement to a specific campus project: the DGX Spark laboratory. The new systems would expand the work of an existing MAIN partner. MAIN leads the statewide network, while Alcorn develops the campus resources and uses within it.