Mississippi’s Statewide AI Priorities establish a shared foundation for how artificial intelligence is understood, taught, and applied across the state. These priorities define the vision and guiding principles that shape AI education, workforce readiness, responsible AI use, and the AI learning progression that follows.
Last updated April 2026.
Mississippi’s intent is to be a place where AI is not only adopted, but also created, applied, and advanced. By investing in people, skills, and responsible innovation, Mississippi can support educators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and workers as they contribute to new ideas, new industries, and new economic opportunities.
The goal is not to copy another region’s model. Instead, Mississippi can build a distinctly Mississippi approach that uses local strengths while competing nationally and globally.
These priorities provide statewide direction while preserving local flexibility. As a result, institutions, educators, employers, and agencies can implement AI initiatives in ways that reflect their missions, communities, and contexts.
Priority 1: AI Literacy and Access for All
AI learning should be available to all Mississippians, regardless of geography, background, or socioeconomic resources. The statewide approach should expand opportunity, reduce barriers, and avoid creating “AI haves and have-nots.”
This priority recognizes that broad access and baseline understanding are essential for equitable participation in an AI-enabled society.
What this means in practice
- Foundational AI literacy should be broadly available, not reserved for specialized or advanced programs.
- Access should include rural communities, under-resourced schools, adult learners, and incumbent workers.
- Every learner should understand what AI is, how it is used, how to evaluate AI outputs, and when AI should not be used.
- Advanced pathways in development, data, and AI-enabled systems should be available for learners with interest and aptitude.
Priority 2: Ethics, Responsibility, and Critical Thinking
AI education and use should be hands-on and anchored in ethical reasoning. Learners need to understand privacy, acceptable use, bias awareness, and critical evaluation. Therefore, Mississippi should prepare learners to be responsible users and leaders, not passive consumers of AI systems.
This priority ensures that AI adoption stays guided by human judgment, integrity, and awareness of social impact.
What this means in practice
- Ethical reasoning should be integrated into how AI is taught and used.
- Learners should understand AI limitations, misuse risks, and the need to validate AI-generated outputs.
- Responsible use includes awareness of bias, fairness, transparency, and appropriate contexts for AI use.
Priority 3: Data Privacy, Security, and Responsible Governance
AI education and adoption should emphasize data protection, secure AI use, and responsible governance. Learners and practitioners should understand how AI systems rely on data, networks, and digital infrastructure. They should also understand how poor practices can introduce risk.
This priority reinforces trust, safety, and resilience in AI-enabled environments.
What this means in practice
- Learners should understand basic principles of data privacy, consent, and responsible data handling.
- AI learning should include cybersecurity risks such as data leakage, misuse, and adversarial threats.
- Responsible governance includes user responsibility, acceptable use, and human oversight in AI-enabled systems.
Priority 4: Workforce Readiness and Flexibility
AI education should connect to Mississippi’s industries and workforce needs. At the same time, it should prepare learners to adapt as tools, roles, and processes change.
The focus should stay on durable skills that transfer across occupations and evolve over time, rather than training for a single tool or moment.
What this means in practice
- AI-related skills should translate across sectors and adapt to changing workplace demands.
- Employer partnerships should inform real-world relevance without narrowing education to short-term product training.
- Advanced specialization should be available when roles require it, while foundational readiness remains broadly applicable.
Priority 5: Strategic Alignment and Measurable Outcomes
Mississippi’s AI approach should align with broader statewide priorities, including education, workforce development, government modernization, and economic growth. Clear outcomes support coordination, accountability, and continuous improvement across sectors.
This priority supports coherence and sustainability without turning the priorities into a rigid compliance structure.
What this means in practice
- Shared priorities can reduce fragmentation and duplication across institutions and initiatives.
- Outcomes should be measurable and transparent.
- Evaluation should support improvement without turning the priorities into a compliance instrument.
How These Priorities Shape the AI Learning Progression
Together, these priorities set the direction for the AI skills, definitions, and learning progression that follow in Mississippi’s framework. They support a continuous pathway from K-12 through postsecondary education and into the workforce.
They also position Mississippi to shape AI adoption proactively. By building shared language, durable skills, and responsible practices, Mississippi can expand opportunity, support innovation, and strengthen long-term economic resilience for communities across the state.
To learn more about the AI Workforce Readiness Council, visit mainms.org/ai-workforce-readiness-council.