STARKVILLE – As artificial intelligence continues to grow in popularity, so does the need for improved infrastructure and a larger workforce.
A new Mississippi program is looking to address this need through $9.1 million in grants awarded to colleges and universities for the development of AI and machine learning infrastructure, knowledge and workforce training, including $2.2 million to Mississippi State University.
MSU is one of seven institutions of higher learning in the state to receive a grant through the newly established Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program, which Gov. Tate Reeves announced June 12.
“This is about more than just jobs – it’s about opportunity,” Reeves said during the Thursday press conference. “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.”
The program – a partnership between AccelerateMS, the Mississippi Development Authority and Amazon Web Services – comes after AWS announced in January that it would invest $10 billion to build two data center complexes in Madison County, which were projected to create around 1,000 new jobs, AWS website said. Along with broadening AI infrastructure and research across the state, the program aims to help support the expansion of AWS in Mississippi.
The $2.2 million MSU received through the program will be used to establish an endowment for AI workforce and research initiatives, including two new faculty lines and the development of a new Data Center Construction graduate certificate program, MSU’s press release said. Certificate programs provide training in a specific field with the goal of developing job-ready skills.
“Certificate programs are important to allow people in the workforce to get the training they need and to get the (credentials) they need to successfully pursue and land a job in these data centers,” said Sid Salter, MSU’s vice president for strategic communication and director of public affairs.
The new certificate will be developed through MSU’s Office of Research and Economic Development alongside AWS and state liaisons with a focus on the skills needed to operate existing data centers in the state and build new ones.
“We believe, along with state officials from the governor on down, AI and machine learning are going to be a part of the corporate and educational environment moving forward,” Salter said. “Institutions that can help to harness those tools are going to be ahead.”
Alcorn State University, Belhaven University, Jackson State University, Millsaps College, Mississippi College and the University of Southern Mississippi were also awarded grants ranging from $390,000 to $1.24 million.
Each institution will seek private funding and resources to be leveraged alongside state support from this program, MSU’s press release said. The institutions will also appoint a representative for the newly created AI Workforce Readiness Council which will facilitate the collaboration, MSU’s press release said.
“This is another bold step forward for Mississippi,” Reeves said in a Facebook post. “We’re not just preparing for the future – we’re building it. This initiative and investment will help to ensure that Mississippians are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.”
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