Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has unveiled a statewide initiative to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) training and infrastructure across the state’s higher education institutions. The Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program aims to support the expansion of Amazon Web Services (AWS) while creating a training infrastructure that will benefit the broader technology and information sectors.
The program has been allocated $9.1 million in funding grants, distributed across several institutions. Alcorn State University will receive $1.15 million, Jackson State University will get $1.3 million, Millsaps College will be awarded $1 million, the University of Mississippi will receive $2.2 million, and Tougaloo University will get $1.08 million. These grants, approved through the legislature, will enable the development or strengthening of existing AI and technology programs.
Governor Reeves emphasized that this initiative represents a significant step forward for Mississippi, equipping its workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy. “We’re not just preparing for the future — we’re building it,” Reeves stated. The program is a collaborative effort between Accelerate MS, the Mississippi Development Authority, and AWS, with the newly established AI Workforce Readiness Council facilitating the partnership.
While some institutions like Ole Miss and Hinds Community College will participate through different funding avenues, the overall initiative aims to ensure that Mississippians can work effectively alongside AI advancements. Reeves noted that the goal is to train people so they can work “hand in glove” with technological developments, rather than being replaced by them.
This public-private model is designed to meet AWS’s specific needs while creating a broader benefit for the state’s technology sector. By investing in AI talent and infrastructure, Mississippi is positioning itself for future growth in the tech industry.
