(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University hosted its first immersive ChatGPT workshop in partnership with the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) and OpenAI Academy in July 2025. The event brought together nearly 500 participants from across Mississippi’s education, workforce and government sectors for a day of practical AI learning and collaboration.
The full-day workshop provided practical and applied training on generative AI, offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with OpenAI Academy instructors and gain hands-on experience using ChatGPT in real-world scenarios.
“As a partner of MAIN, we were excited to collaborate with leaders across the state to host events like this at JSU,” said Almesha Campbell, Ph.D., vice president for research and economic development. Artificial intelligence is reshaping discovery, teaching and workforce development, and it’s critical that our faculty, staff and students are not only prepared but positioned to lead and drive innovation. “This hands-on workshop demonstrates JSU’s role in advancing applied research and entrepreneurship while ensuring that Mississippi remains competitive in the AI-driven future.”
Jackson State University, a proud partner of MAIN, played a central role in hosting the event and showcasing its commitment to advancing innovation and workforce development in Mississippi. Under Campbell’s leadership, JSU mobilized teams across campus to deliver a well-executed and impactful experience for participants.
“Mississippi is not waiting on the future. We are building it,” said Kollin Napier, Ph.D., director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network. “MAIN is proud to lead this work, and this workshop was more than a milestone. It demonstrated the momentum and unity across our state to equip educators, public officials, and workforce leaders with the tools they need to thrive in the AI era.”
This workshop builds on a series of AI and machine learning workforce initiatives at Jackson State University. Earlier this year, it was announced that JSU will receive a $1.3 million state grant to advance artificial intelligence education, workforce development and entrepreneurship across Mississippi. The funding, administered by AccelerateMS, will support JSU’s Executive On Roster (XOR) initiative and position the university to lead a statewide effort that engages students, educators and entrepreneurs in emerging technologies and applied learning.
MAIN is the nation’s first statewide AI initiative, based at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC). Established in partnership with all public colleges and universities in the state, the initiative is supported by industry leaders such as NVIDIA, AWS, and Intel. Through free, self-paced AI courses and public-facing events, MAIN works to expand digital fluency, accelerate workforce development, and position Mississippi as a national leader in AI education.
