Representatives from educational institutions across Mississippi gathered at Mississippi State University to attend the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network kickoff. Additionally, the launch brought together community colleges, universities, and industry partners committed to advancing statewide AI education and workforce training.
MAIN Kickoff Meeting at MSU
AccelerateMS funds MAIN, and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College leads the network. Together, they bring together education partners, nonprofits, and industries to address AI’s educational and economic opportunities. The January 22 meeting featured presentations on how educators are using AI in the classroom and to support key business functions. Presenters also showed how MSU is using AI to grow its research and teaching mission. Furthermore, partners Intel and Dell described how they are building new technology and supporting efforts like MAIN.
AI Reshaping Student Success
Jonathan Woodward of MGCCC, principal investigator on the MAIN grant, noted unexpected technology impacts at his institution. For example, MGCCC started using a chatbot to check in with students during their academic journey. As a result, the college saw 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.”
Research and Innovation at MSU
The meeting also included a tour of MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems. There, researchers are using AI to develop stronger metallic materials and software for offroad vehicle navigation. Notably, MSU vice president Julie Jordan stressed that people remain central to AI development and usage.
“AI represents a paradigm shift that is accelerating changes in how we do business and how we teach and learn,” Jordan said. “Companies need us to graduate students equipped to use AI in almost every career.”
Building Mississippi’s AI Workforce
AI’s growing impact on everyday life, education, healthcare, and key Mississippi industries drives the creation of MAIN. Accordingly, MAIN aims to develop a statewide collaboration for AI education, technical support, and workforce training with industry partnerships. Moreover, MAIN partners span all 15 community colleges and several Mississippi universities across the state.
“MAIN represents a great opportunity to chart a path forward that allows Mississippi to fully realize the potential private and public sector benefits of artificial intelligence,” said Courtney Taylor, deputy director for strategy and programs at AccelerateMS. “Initiatives like this will help us create a workforce that can adapt to the technological changes happening today, as well as the unknown changes that are still to come.” Learn more about MAIN’s mission.
Source: https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2024/01/mississippi-ai-network-kicks-meeting-msu