JACKSON, Miss. – Gov. Tate Reeves has announced that Jackson State University will receive a $1.3 million state grant to advance artificial intelligence education, workforce development and entrepreneurship across Mississippi.
On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Reeves announced that $9.1 million in grants will be issued to institutions of higher learning through MAI-TAP. The grants are a strategic investment in Mississippi’s future workforce and economic competitiveness.
“We are grateful for this investment in Jackson State University’s mission to expand access to emerging fields,” said Denise Jones Gregory, Ph.D., interim president of Jackson State University. “This grant affirms the quality of our faculty and programs and allows us to give students the knowledge and experience to navigate and contribute to the world they are entering. It’s another step forward in our work to serve students and communities through innovation and opportunity.”
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.
The launch of the MAI-TAP initiative comes months after Reeves announced a $10 billion tech investment planned for Lauderdale County. Last year, Madison County Economic Development Authority also announced the development of an Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center. With a planned capital investment of $10 billion, AWS is the largest economic development project in Mississippi’s history.
“We are excited to lead this initiative that will empower Mississippi students, teachers and entrepreneurs to engage in meaningful learning experiences around artificial intelligence,” said Almesha L. Campbell, Ph.D., vice president for research and economic development. “This project supports our strategic focus on innovation, workforce development and academic prominence. Through this grant, Jackson State will collaborate with partners to build a model that prepares learners at every level to understand, apply and shape the future of AI.”
JSU student consulting teams will partner with Millsaps College to deliver AI-powered small business support to cultivate tech-driven startups and enhance Mississippi’s small business ecosystem.
MAI-TAP will stimulate the development of workforce programs that address the skill development demands of the artificial intelligence sector. Each institution will seek private funding and resources to leverage along with state support.
“This is another bold step forward for Mississippi,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “We’re not just preparing for the future – we’re building it. This investment will help to ensure that Mississippians are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.”
Mississippi’s strategy for AI and machine learning workforce development is organized around five core pillars:
- AI/machine learning infrastructure by investing in human capital infrastructure: Building a skilled workforce for foundational infrastructure roles.
- AI/machine learning literacy for Mississippians: Promoting basic understanding and competencies across the state’s population.
- Education and industry-specific use cases: Aligning AI education with industry-driven applications.
- Upskilling for product innovation: Enhancing skills for those creating new tools and technologies.
- Research infrastructure: Supporting the capacity for AI/machine learning innovation and technology advancement.
The newly established AI Workforce Readiness Council, through the State Workforce Investment Board and AccelerateMS, will facilitate this collaboration. The Council will be chaired by Kollin Napier of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network, and each awardee will appoint a designated representative to actively participate on the council.