The Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN), led by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), was built through partnerships with AccelerateMS, the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges (MACC), the Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB), the Mississippi Manufacturers Association (MMA), and global technology leaders such as Intel, Amazon (AWS), and NVIDIA. Together, this alliance includes all 15 Mississippi community colleges, public universities, private institutions, K-12 education, state government, law enforcement, military groups, and business sectors. As a result, these partners help position Mississippi as a national leader in AI education, workforce training, and innovation.

Provide Leadership In AI

Today, MAIN provides statewide leadership to help Mississippi address AI opportunities and workforce needs.

Growth and Innovation

Meanwhile, higher education partners are establishing AI labs across Mississippi through MAIN. In addition, the network supports the growth of AI and advanced technology employers.

Curriculum

Furthermore, MAIN supports AI education and workforce training for K-12 schools, community and technical colleges, universities, state agencies, and industry. Therefore, Mississippi can build steady long-term progress.

Workforce AI Courses

MAIN offers free, self-paced AI courses developed with Intel. Using Intel’s AI for Workforce curriculum, the courses cover both core and specialized topics, including Introduction to AI, Generative AI, AI for Manufacturing, Applied Ethics for AI, AI for Cybersecurity, AI for Sustainability, Data-Centric AI, AI for Computer Vision, and Applied Mathematics for AI. In addition, MAIN delivers these courses in Canvas so students, educators, and workforce members across Mississippi can learn in a flexible format.

Additionally, participants earn professional development certificates and Credly badges after completion.

Each course includes 64 hours of content across 16 modules in a 16-week structure. However, learners can work at their own pace because the courses are self-guided. To keep learning on track, modules are completed in sequence. Finally, courses use slides, videos, discussions, quizzes, and assignments to build practical AI skills.

Achievements

Since launch, MAIN has expanded AI literacy and workforce training across Mississippi.

As of 2024, thousands of people have enrolled in free MAIN AI courses, including K-12 educators, higher education professionals, and workforce members. For example, more than 3,000 K-12 educators completed the Introduction to AI course and earned over 2,000 CEU, SEMI, and OSL credits, equal to more than 10,000 hours of AI-focused professional development. Beyond K-12, thousands of additional participants joined AI training programs designed for different industries; as a result, AI literacy has grown statewide.

MAIN has now delivered more than 20,000 total hours of free AI learning through courses, workshops, and events. Therefore, by offering accessible, high-quality AI education, MAIN is helping communities build innovation and economic growth for the digital economy.

AI Labs

With AccelerateMS support, MAIN is building AI labs at partner institutions across Mississippi. As a result, schools and colleges gain AI-ready resources to expand curriculum and innovation. In addition, these labs help refresh current courses and support new programs and degree pathways with modern facilities and technology. Also, students, educators, and workforce members can use these resources for hands-on learning.

MAIN AI labs strengthen workforce skills and position educational institutions as technology hubs. Therefore, this work aligns with Mississippi’s goals for economic growth and AI leadership.

Responsive AI Curriculum

First, Intel has developed a practical AI curriculum that covers essential concepts, tools, techniques, and ethics in AI. As a result, MAIN members can access this curriculum for free. Next, partners can use it to enhance existing courses or create new courses, programs, and degrees to offer across Mississippi.

Workforce Training

Additionally, MAIN members collaborate with industry experts, academic faculty, and business partners. Together, these groups design focused training that meets business needs and challenges.

AI Awareness

In addition, MAIN members lead awareness campaigns, community events, and public presentations. Through these efforts, Mississippi residents learn about AI’s potential, ethical effects, and role in future industries.

Today, the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) helps Mississippi respond to rapid growth in artificial intelligence (AI) and its effect on many workforce sectors. To address this shift, MAIN combines AI education, workforce training, and public awareness. In addition, strategic partnerships help position Mississippi as an AI leader while driving economic growth.

Primary Goals

1. First, provide statewide leadership to address AI and AI workforce needs in Mississippi.
2. Next, attract and grow innovative AI and advanced technology employers.
3. Finally, meet AI education and workforce training needs across K-12, community and technical colleges, select universities, and business and industry.

A Responsive AI Curriculum

Intel has developed a current AI curriculum that covers essential concepts, tools, techniques, and ethics. As a result, MAIN members working with Intel and Dell Technologies can access the curriculum. Furthermore, participating institutions can add it to courses in whole or in part.

Workforce Training

Moreover, MAIN members collaborate with industry experts, academic faculty, and business partners. Together, these collaborators create focused training for business-sector needs and challenges.

AI Awareness Campaigns

In addition, MAIN members can lead awareness campaigns, community events, and public presentations. As a result, these initiatives help educate Mississippi residents about AI’s potential, ethical effects, and role in shaping future industries.

Collectively, Intel, Dell Technologies, AccelerateMS, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), Mississippi Association of Community Colleges (MACC), Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB), and the Mississippi Manufacturing Association (MMA) have formed a strategic partnership to ensure MAIN’s success. As a result, the partnership offers:

Technical Expertise

For example, Intel, in collaboration with Dell Technologies and MGCCC, will provide AI curriculum, guidance, and expertise to MAIN members.

Infrastructure Support

Likewise, Dell Technologies, Intel, and MGCCC, will advise MAIN members on selecting hardware, software, and additional resources.

Industry Collaboration

In addition, AccelerateMS, MACC, MCCB, and MMA will help MAIN members connect with industry through collaborations, internships, and job placements, linking students with real-world AI projects.

Workforce Training

Meanwhile, AccelerateMS will assist MCCB members in implementing pre-employment and upskilling training programs.

Educational Partnership

Finally, MGCCC will support the development of AI education relationships among state institutions, promoting resource sharing and best practices.