Mississippi AI Collaborative
Mississippi AI Collaborative is developing an ecosystem leveraging AI in the state of Mississippi, including an apprenticeship program and an intensive AI curriculum program for teachers, students, and businesses.
Submitted by:
Mississippi AI Collaborative
Location:
United States of America
Partners:
Mississippi Coding Academies
Jackson State University
Jackson Public Schools
Computer Science Teacher Association, MS
Bean Path
About the Solution
The state of Mississippi stands at a pivotal juncture, confronted with the pressing need to integrate artificial intelligence into its educational framework. In higher education, the state loses half of its college graduates to brain drain annually. The state and its workforce will benefit from an integrated approach to generative AI skilling that bridges the gap between education and industry.
Mississippi AI Collaborative’s ecosystem intervention includes an intensive AI curriculum taught to K-12 public school teachers across the state. The organization also hosts a “Skill-AI-Thon” to develop AI capabilities statewide for universities, employers, and libraries. Finally, they have launched an AI Agency and apprenticeship program, where Jackson State University students work with small businesses and nonprofits to leverage AI tools to boost their online presence, optimize their marketing strategies, and craft more engaging communication with their customers.
Leading with Localism
Through its partnerships approach, Mississippi AI Collaborative builds a sustainable career pipeline, starting with educators in K-12 education, advancing to higher education and boot camps, and driving small business opportunities. This intervention recognizes the importance of making generative AI training accessible to all populations across urban and rural geographies, diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, and various racial and ethnic groups. This inclusive approach is mission-built to serve and uplift Mississippi’s entire community, with 95 percent of participants from backgrounds that are typically at risk of exclusion from the digital economy.
Skilling That Scales:
Generative AI Skills Challenge Impact Report
Mississippi AI Collaborative trained a total of 2,127 and engaged 3,500 individuals, including 900 educators in the train-the-trainer model, and issued 600 certifications across various programs. There has been significant engagement with educators and businesses, leading to increased digital literacy and confidence in using AI tools.
Highlights
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1
AI in Action: Integrated Microsoft Copilot and other generative AI tools into workflows, curriculum development, and workshops for Mississippi educators–empowering them to be advocates of responsible AI integration. Utilized AI for course development, implementation, and as a Q&A mechanism.
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Facilitated a successful educator accelerator program and AI Agency, providing valuable community support, increased digital literacy, access to AI tools, and improved operational efficiency and online presence for local small business and nonprofits.
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Created sustainable career development and socioeconomic mobility across the state through AI training courses, apprenticeships, and support for small businesses going through digital transformation.
What’s Next?
Looking forward, the Mississippi AI Collaborative is committed to scaling its successful models to other regions, adapting strategies to meet diverse educational and technological needs. Now a dedicated 501c3, the organization plans to seek additional funding and refine its initiatives based on continuous feedback from participants and evolving trends in AI technology. Future directions include expanding the reach of programs such as the Educator Accelerator Fellowship to more rural and underserved areas, as well as additional southern states. MSAIC aims to also enhance the AI Agency’s services to provide higher impact support for small businesses and nonprofits and strengthen its collaborations with industry leaders and policymakers to ensure that AI education and application align with workforce demands and societal needs.
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