Transforming industries and setting a national precedent
Mississippi has emerged as a leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) workforce development, driving economic growth and attracting high-tech industries. At the forefront of this transformation is the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN)—the nation’s first and only statewide AI initiative. Under the leadership of Kollin Napier, Ph.D., MAIN is not only preparing Mississippi’s workforce for the future but also setting a national precedent for how AI education and training can fuel innovation and industry expansion.
“Mississippi’s rise as a hub for high-tech industries is accelerating, fueled by record-breaking investments from companies like Amazon Web Services and Compass Datacenters,” said Napier. “But to sustain this momentum, we must ensure that Mississippi’s workforce is prepared for the jobs these investments bring. By showcasing our skilled, AI-ready workforce, we send a clear message: Mississippi is thriving and positioned for expansion.”
While these investments are gaining global attention, MAIN is also ensuring that AI-driven growth reaches businesses of all sizes. “Attracting major technology leaders is critical for the state’s growth, and we recognize the importance of empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs to integrate AI into their operations,” said Napier. “AI is already transforming industries at every level. From automating processes in small businesses to enhancing diagnostics in healthcare, we are ensuring our workforce is trained, adaptable, and future ready. Mississippi is not just preparing for the future but actively shaping it while fostering both large-scale investment and grassroots innovation.”
These efforts have positioned MAIN as a national leader in AI education and workforce development, but its impact goes beyond upskilling. MAIN is now focused on empowering Mississippians to create AI-driven solutions tailored to the state’s unique needs. By fostering homegrown innovation, MAIN ensures that AI is not just something Mississippi adapts to but something it leads, driving the future of industries, infrastructure, and economic growth.
MAIN’s recent partnership with the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) through the AI Innovation Hub further strengthens this mission, accelerating AI adoption across state agencies, businesses, and educational institutions. MAIN’s impact in AI education and workforce development has positioned Mississippi as a model for other states looking to integrate AI into schools and colleges.
“This success has sparked broader regional discussions, particularly within the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), where I serve as a member representing Mississippi and MAIN,” said Napier. “Just last month, SREB released its first set of recommendations on incorporating AI in education, with its number one recommendation being the establishment of statewide AI networks—using MAIN as the example.”
Napier emphasized the importance of such networks in ensuring a coordinated AI strategy. “By connecting education, government, manufacturing, and other key sectors, MAIN drives a unified effort to upskill workers, modernize industries, and spur economic growth across Mississippi,” he said. “Without a statewide strategy, AI adoption would be fragmented, leaving many regions behind. SREB’s recognition underscores how strategic statewide coordination can serve as a model for AI integration nationwide.”
MAIN launched with three core goals: leading statewide efforts to address AI and workforce development needs, attracting and supporting advanced technology industries and employers, and expanding AI education and workforce training opportunities across K-12 schools, higher education, and businesses throughout Mississippi.
“To achieve these goals, MAIN has formed key partnerships with global tech leaders, bringing cutting-edge AI education to Mississippi and ensuring that all Mississippians, including students, workers, and businesses, gain essential AI skills,” he said. “Meanwhile, collaboration with industry experts has led to customized workforce training programs tailored to Mississippi’s businesses, while AI awareness campaigns have educated communities on the technology’s potential and ethics.
The impact of AI to improve the productivity of businesses and industries is already visible in Mississippi thanks to the free AI resources offered by MAIN. These resources include a variety of courses such as MAIN’s AI for Manufacturing course where Toyota employees are learning how AI optimizes operations and improves efficiency.
Napier said that beyond the courses, supplemental learning sessions like the MAIN Focus program are now available to help individuals and businesses of all sizes adopt AI by providing practical training on tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, streamlining tasks and maximizing resources. MAIN continues to enroll Mississippians eager to learn AI, with more than 1,200 workers across all sectors currently engaged in its free training programs. These resources ensure that professionals in every industry can develop the skills needed to stay competitive in an AI-driven economy.
“AI is not just the future; it is already driving innovation across Mississippi, and MAIN is making AI education and training accessible to everyone,” said Napier. “MAIN takes a ‘Train the Trainer’ approach in strengthening Mississippi’s workforce, ensuring that educators, industry leaders and workforce professionals are equipped to teach AI skills effectively. By embedding AI training into education and workforce systems, MAIN prepares individuals with future-ready skills, opening doors to higher-paying careers in key industries like healthcare, logistics, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing. This transformation not only enhances job opportunities but also fuels innovation and productivity. As a result, Mississippi is building a workforce that attracts businesses, drives economic growth, and positions the state as a leader in the AI-powered future.”
MAIN’s approach extends into K-12 education through its “Educate the Educator” model, ensuring that teachers have the knowledge and skills to introduce AI responsibly in the classroom. Beyond teaching AI concepts, MAIN focuses on developing essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical awareness, helping students see AI as a tool shaping their future, just as it already impacts their daily lives.
“In addition to free access to AI training and curriculum, one key benefit MAIN offers K-12 educators is the opportunity to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), School Executive Management Institute (SEMI), and Orientation for School Leaders (OSL) credits—at no cost,” said Napier. “This invaluable professional development strengthens AI literacy in schools while empowering educators to bring cutting-edge knowledge into their classrooms.”
Students are naturally curious about AI because they encounter it everywhere, from social media to gaming. However, they must understand ethical considerations, responsible usage, and cybersecurity.
“Through hands-on experiences like coding challenges and creative AI projects, MAIN makes AI education both exciting and meaningful, ensuring students are prepared to navigate an AI-driven world responsibly,” said Napier. “Recognizing the impact of these efforts, MAIN was awarded the prestigious Hugh I. Peck Research Award by the Program of Research and Evaluation for Public Schools. This award honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to educational research and development, further validating MAIN’s commitment to advancing AI education and shaping the future of learning.”
MAIN has partnered with all 15 Mississippi community colleges, as well as universities, ensuring that AI curriculum is accessible across the state. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College leads these efforts through a grant from AccelerateMS. Napier said this investment allows AI education to extend beyond IT into disciplines such as business, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, ensuring that AI literacy reaches students in diverse career pathways.
“To further expand opportunities, MAIN has established AI labs across all public institutions, creating hubs for innovation where colleges can develop new programs, enhance existing ones, and provide hands-on AI resources for students, faculty, and workforce development initiatives,” said Napier. “While all colleges collaborate through MAIN, each institution has the flexibility to tailor AI education to its local workforce and economic needs, ensuring both relevance and impact at the regional level.
“By embedding AI into community college programs, MAIN is transforming Mississippi’s workforce development system, making AI-driven careers more accessible and equipping students with the skills to thrive in an AI-powered economy. Through these efforts, MAIN is driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and positioning Mississippi as a leader in AI education,” he continued.
Concerns have been raised that AI could put some people out of work. Napier said while job displacement is a natural part of economic and technological progress, history shows that innovations like AI create as many opportunities as they replace.
“AI is a tool that enhances productivity, not one that replaces workers,” said Napier. “In industries like auto manufacturing, AI-powered robotics automate repetitive tasks, but human workers remain crucial for managing, programming and maintaining these systems. That’s why MAIN is committed to up-skilling and re-skilling Mississippians to ensure they are ready for the jobs AI is creating, not just the ones it may change. By integrating AI training into education and workforce programs, we are equipping workers with the knowledge and skills needed for future growth and prosperity. Mississippi’s workforce is not being left behind—we are actively preparing it to thrive in an AI-powered economy ensuring that workers are not just keeping up but leading the way forward.”
AI literacy is rapidly becoming a standard job requirement with 70% of companies planning to hire workers with AI skills. Employers across sectors like healthcare, manufacturing and logistics are seeking AI-proficient workers to drive productivity and efficiency.
“For businesses, AI provides a significant competitive edge,” said Napier. “Smaller firms can use AI to automate tasks, while larger companies leverage it to optimize operations. MAIN is playing a pivotal role in helping Mississippi’s workforce stay competitive, offering free AI resources to upskill and reskill individuals. By providing access to essential AI knowledge and tools, MAIN ensures that students, workers, and businesses are equipped to succeed in an AI-driven economy.”