Mississippi NVIDIA AI Education Resources

Q: How do I maintain “active” NVIDIA DLI certified instructor status?

Teach at least two DLI workshops per year reaching at least 40 students, maintain positive evaluations, stay certified on the latest course versions, complete the most recent DLI Platform Training modules, and renew certification and membership annually.

Q: What are the benefits of becoming an NVIDIA DLI Ambassador?

Benefits include delivering free, high-impact AI and data science training, early access to teaching kits, free online DLI courses for students, no-cost instructor certification, workshop-specific certificates, and optional listing in the NVIDIA Certified Instructor Directory.

Q: Is there a limit to how many faculty can become DLI Ambassadors at one institution?

No. Multiple qualified faculty from the same institution are encouraged to apply.

Q: Does applying to the NVIDIA DLI Ambassador Program guarantee selection?

No. Selection is not guaranteed, but applicants may reapply in future cycles.

Q: What are the faculty prerequisites to apply?

Refer to the official NVIDIA DLI Workshop Requirements for instructor qualifications.

Q: Who typically attends these AI and data science workshops?

Certified faculty usually lead workshops for their students. MAIN also partners with community and workforce organizations to expand access statewide.

Mississippi educators, students, and workforce professionals can participate in the
NVIDIA Faculty Ambassador Program and access training through the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN).

This initiative supports
Mississippi’s statewide AI partnership with NVIDIA to expand AI education, workforce readiness, and innovation across the state.

Faculty are encouraged to apply as Ambassadors to bring cutting-edge AI training and teaching kits into classrooms, while students and workforce learners can explore free, self-paced NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI) courses to build practical AI skills.

Stay Connected

Faculty, students, and workforce professionals across Mississippi can connect with the
Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) and NVIDIA to receive updates on:

NVIDIA Faculty Ambassador opportunities and teaching kits
Free AI training and self-paced DLI courses
Upcoming workshops and info sessions statewide

Upcoming Live Info Session: TBD — complete the form to receive session details.

Complete the Interest Form

Get Started with NVIDIA AI Training

Whether you’re a faculty member integrating AI into your classroom or a student or workforce learner building new skills, NVIDIA provides free and low-cost training opportunities to help you succeed.

For Faculty

For Students & Workforce

Mississippi participants are encouraged to complete the MAIN + NVIDIA Interest Form to receive updates, guidance, and local workshop opportunities.

Important Dates

Faculty Application Deadline: Applications are considered for the next monthly cohort, so please only submit your application if you are prepared to take on the certification work in the upcoming month. If you are applying before the 20th of the month, you will be considered for the upcoming month’s cohort and should receive an update on your application by the first day of the cohort month. If you are applying after the 20th of the month then you should get an update on your application by the end of the following month (see example below).

Example: Application submitted between Jan 21 and Feb 20 will be considered for the March cohort. Applications submitted between Feb 21 and March 20 will be considered for the April cohort, etc. Please wait for this time frame before contacting us about your application.

Why Join?

Access NVIDIA’s leading AI technologies and teaching materials
Free certification and professional development
Collaborate with global NVIDIA experts and educators
Advance MAIN’s mission to grow Mississippi’s AI-ready workforce

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many hours are required to complete the NVIDIA DLI instructor certification?

The NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI) instructor certification typically takes 5–10 hours to complete over a 4-week period, depending on experience and technical background.

How do I maintain “active” NVIDIA DLI certified instructor status?

To remain in good standing as a certified DLI Ambassador, instructors must:

Teach at least two (2) DLI workshops per year, reaching at least 40 students
Maintain positive student feedback and evaluation scores
Stay certified on the latest version of each course taught
Complete the most recent DLI Platform Training modules
Renew certification and membership annually

What are the benefits of becoming an NVIDIA DLI Ambassador?

Deliver free, high-impact AI and data science training (valued at $500/student)
Early access to new teaching kits and free online DLI courses for students
Instructor certification at no cost (a $1,000 value)
Workshop-specific certificates validating AI teaching expertise
Optional inclusion in the NVIDIA Certified Instructor Directory
View the full list of ambassador benefits here

Is there a limit to how many faculty can become DLI Ambassadors at one institution?

No. Multiple qualified faculty members from the same institution are encouraged to apply and participate.

Does applying to the NVIDIA DLI Ambassador Program guarantee selection?

No. Selection is not guaranteed, but applicants are welcome to reapply in future cycles.

Can students be charged to attend DLI-certified workshops?

No. NVIDIA DLI workshops must be offered to students at no cost.

What are the faculty prerequisites to apply?

View the official requirements here: NVIDIA DLI Workshop Requirements

If I apply by the August 20 deadline, can I get certified before October?

No. The certification process cannot be expedited. Plan to host a workshop only after your certification is fully approved and complete.

Who typically attends these AI and data science workshops?

Certified faculty generally lead NVIDIA DLI workshops for students at their institutions. The Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) also partners with community and workforce organizations to expand access statewide.

Contact

Dr. Kollin Napier
Director, Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN)
kollin.napier@mgccc.edu
https://mainms.org