Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LORMAN – Alcorn State University and the Natchez-based School of Nursing are among the beneficiaries of more than $9 million in grants to spur the development of artificial intelligence, machine learning and related technical capabilities at Mississippi colleges and universities.

The grants were announced on Thursday by Gov. Tate Reeves as part of the launch of the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program (MAI-TAP). The program is designed to support the expansion of Amazon Web Services in Mississippi, and the governor described the grants as a strategic investment in Mississippi’s future workforce and economic competitiveness.

“This is another bold step forward for Mississippi,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “We’re not just preparing for the future – we’re building it. This investment will help to ensure that Mississippians are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.”

MAI-TAP will stimulate the development of workforce programs that address the skill development demands of the artificial intelligence sector. Each institution will seek private funding and resources to leverage along with state support.

Alcorn State University will receive $1.15 million to train individuals in southwest Mississippi on digital literacy and artificial intelligence fundamentals. This funding will also allow for the deployment of telehealth resources through ASU’s School of Nursing to improve healthcare access to underserved, rural communities.

Mississippi’s strategy for AI and ML workforce development is organized around five core pillars:

1. AI/machine learning infrastructure by investing in human capital infrastructure: Building a skilled workforce for foundational infrastructure roles.
2. AI/machine learning literacy for Mississippians: Promoting basic understanding and competencies across the state’s population.
3. Education and industry-specific use cases: Aligning AI education with industry-driven applications.
4. Upskilling for product innovation: Enhancing skills for those creating new tools and technologies.
5. Research infrastructure: Supporting the capacity for AI/machine learning innovation and technology advancement.

The newly established AI Workforce Readiness Council – through the State Workforce Investment Board and AccelerateMS – will facilitate this collaboration. The Council will be chaired by Dr. Kollin Napier of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network, and each awardee will appoint a designated representative to actively participate on the council.

Other grant recipients include:

• Belhaven University: $390K to hire a dedicated AI program chair and integrate AI content into its online MBA curriculum to ensure working professionals have practical, industry-aligned AI skills.
• Jackson State University: $1.3 million to launch an Executive On Roster (XOR) program to engage AI experts and provide real-time industry insights, ensuring that workforce participants have relevant and appropriate skills. JSU student consulting teams will partner with Millsaps College to deliver AI-powered small business support to cultivate tech-driven startups and enhance Mississippi’s small business ecosystem.
• Millsaps College: $1 million to build upon an existing private investment. Millsaps will establish an endowed chair in AI and Emerging Technology. Through the ELSEWORKS student consulting program and in partnership with JSU, Millsaps will assist small businesses with AI integration.
• Mississippi College: $723K to leverage existing, private funding. Mississippi College’s funding will create a 12-hour certificate and a 6-hour microcredential in their School of Law to ensure Mississippi’s future and current lawyers have knowledge needed to thrive in the AI/machine learning enabled world.
• Mississippi State University: $2.2 million to establish an endowment and seek private match for AI/machine learning workforce and research initiatives. This includes two new faculty lines and the development of a graduate certificate in Data Center Construction Management – one of the first of its kind nationally.
• University of Southern Mississippi: $1.24 million to establish a Maritime AI Innovation Lab to accelerate AI adoption in Mississippi’s Blue Economy. The Lab will focus on port efficiency, vessel safety, and supply chain optimization. Additionally, USM will launch a master’s degree in Robotics and Intelligent Systems. Funding includes support for faculty, graduate researchers, and critical GPU infrastructure. USM will establish an endowment and seek private match to support AI/machine learning research and application of innovations.
• Tougaloo College: $1.08 million to hire new AI/machine learning faculty and establish an endowment to ensure students in all programs have access to appropriate AI/machine learning related concepts.

Reeves also highlighted several institutions of higher learning that did not receive funding but are still playing a major role in MAI-TAP, through existing funding and collaborative efforts. This includes Co-Lin Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Hinds Community College, and the University of Mississippi.

“This is about more than just jobs—it’s about opportunity,” Reeves said. “With this initiative, we’re ensuring that Mississippi leads the way in AI and machine learning innovation, as well as workforce readiness. It’s another big day for Mississippi.”