PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Dr. Kollin Napier, chief artificial intelligence officer of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN), spoke at Pascagoula Rotary’s monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. He discussed the state of AI, Mississippi’s work through MAIN, and no-cost resources for businesses and community members.
AI in work and everyday life
Napier placed recent AI advances in the context of ways people already use the technology. He described how its capabilities have developed and discussed practical ways to understand and apply them.
Audience questions covered AI’s role in different sectors, occupations and career paths, along with recent developments in the field. Napier addressed concerns by connecting newer capabilities to established uses and keeping the conversation focused on practical applications.
Where Mississippians can start
Napier also outlined how MAIN connects education, workforce, government and industry across Mississippi. The statewide initiative is anchored at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
For readers who want to follow up, MAIN’s current catalog lists 14 no-cost, online and self-paced AI courses. The AI Across Careers resource shows how AI-related tasks and skills differ by occupation. Businesses can use MAIN’s business resources and AI playbooks to explore where the technology may fit their work.