News · Published · Updated · By Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. The Mississippi Legislative Artificial Intelligence Regulation Task Force met September 15 at Camp Shelby to examine how AI is changing cyber threats, what Mississippi needs to strengthen readiness, and what safeguards should govern secure adoption in state government and other critical systems.
The meeting brought task force members together with representatives from Camp Shelby, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, the Mississippi Attorney General’s Cyber Crime Division, the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS), C Spire, OpenAI, Keesler Air Force Base and Mississippi State University.
MAIN’s chief artificial intelligence officer participated as a voting member of the task force. The legislative co-chairs opened the meeting before the group moved into a series of briefings and discussions.
Cyber risk and Mississippi readiness
CISA’s briefing examined how AI is changing the cyber threat landscape. The morning sessions considered how attackers may use AI and how public agencies can use it to improve defense while protecting internal data and operational systems.
The Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, the Attorney General’s Cyber Crime Division and ITS addressed Mississippi cyber readiness and AI-enabled crime. The session brought together the state’s emergency coordination, criminal investigation and information technology responsibilities.
Camp Shelby’s capabilities briefs gave those questions a practical setting. Its cyber-range and multi-domain training capabilities provide a foundation for exercises involving military, state, academic and industry participants.
Critical services and secure AI adoption
C Spire’s briefing focused on AI and cybersecurity in telecommunications. Reliable communications underpin other critical services, making network resilience a concern that extends beyond a single provider.
OpenAI’s afternoon session focused on AI capabilities and secure adoption. For public agencies evaluating AI tools, key considerations include data boundaries, retention and deletion, audit logs, incident notification, human approval and conditions for stopping a pilot.
For public agencies, a narrow pilot can test whether a proposed tool fits a defined workload, but agencies still need an accountable owner, documented safeguards and a clear decision about what remains outside the system’s authority.
Workforce preparation
Keesler Air Force Base and Mississippi State University addressed defense and cyber workforce readiness. The workforce discussion connected AI literacy and technical training with the skills people need to secure and oversee these systems.
The meeting connected workforce preparation with operational readiness. Mississippi needs people who can use AI tools, recognize their limits, examine the evidence behind an output and respond when a system behaves outside its intended boundaries.
The task force’s role
The Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Regulation Task Force was established by Senate Bill 2426 during the 2025 Regular Session. It studies AI applications, risks, state-government use, possible changes to state law, funding considerations and recommendations for the Legislature. It does not issue regulations or approve AI systems.
The task force has seven voting members and four ex-officio members who advise it, bringing experience from technology companies, higher education and private business.
The Camp Shelby meeting added cybersecurity, critical-infrastructure resilience, secure procurement and workforce preparation to the record the task force will use as it develops its next recommendations to the Legislature.