Policy & Legislation

• Executive Order No. 1584 (Jan 8, 2025): Directs the Department of Information Technology Services to inventory all AI technologies across state agencies (including public education) and develop a “responsible use” framework.
  Press release: https://governorreeves.ms.gov/governor-reeves-issues-executive-order-to-foster-stakeholder-collaboration-and-harness-artificial-intelligence-ai/

• Computer Science & Cyber Education Equality Act (HB 633, 2021): Requires every K–12 school to phase in computer science instruction—including AI and machine learning topics—by the 2024–25 school year.
  MDE overview: https://mdek12.org/cte/ms-computer-science-and-cyber-education-equality-act/

• AI in Education Task Force Act (SB 2059, 2025): Would convene educators, policymakers, and experts to evaluate K–12 AI applications, recommend curriculum standards, and address data-privacy safeguards.
  Summary: https://www.mississippifirst.org/blog/senate-bill-2059-artificial-intelligence-in-education-task-force/

K–12 Education

• Statewide AI Guidance: The Mississippi Department of Education published its K–12 AI guidance, outlining how districts should adopt AI tools responsibly.
  PDF: https://www.mdek12.org/sites/default/files/Offices/MDE/OTSS/DL/ai_guidance_final.pdf

• Standards Integration: AI and ML concepts are embedded in the College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Computer Science, ensuring every student receives age-appropriate exposure.
  Standards: https://mdek12.org/cte/ms-computer-science-and-cyber-education-equality-act/

Higher Education

• JSU AI Policy Links: Jackson State University provides a curated set of AI resources and syllabus guidelines for faculty and students.
  JSU guide: https://www.jsums.edu/theepathway/common-syllabus-links-for-students/

• USM AI Guide: The University of Southern Mississippi’s Provost’s Office offers an AI use and ethics guide tailored for both students and staff.
  USM guide: https://www.usm.edu/provost/artificial-intelligence.php#use

• University of Mississippi AI Task Force (2024–25): Under the Provost’s Office, Ole Miss convenes a quarterly AI Task Force to articulate best-practice guidelines for teaching, research, and service missions. All community members are invited to participate.
  Upcoming meeting & details: https://eventcalendar.olemiss.edu/event/ai-task-force-2783 
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• Alcorn State Fall 2023 Faculty & Staff Institute on AI and Task Force: Alcorn State kicked off a faculty-staff institute centered on AI’s impact and institutional priorities, including plans to establish campus-wide AI labs for teaching and research.
  Institute details: https://www.alcorn.edu/2024/08/16/alcorn-state-university-hosts-fall-faculty-and-staff-institute-addresses-ai-and-university-priorities/ 

Mississippi’s Statewide AI Ecosystem

Mississippi is home to multiple statewide initiatives working to expand access to artificial intelligence education and training.

The Mississippi AI Collaborative (MAIC), launched in 2023, is a cross-sector statewide network that connects K–12 educators, public universities, community colleges, nonprofits, and workforce partners. MAIC was one of the first statewide efforts in the country to receive national recognition for its approach to equity-centered AI integration—winning a $250K grant from Data.org’s Generative AI Skills Challenge.

Through initiatives like the AI Educator Accelerator Fellowship, AI Agency Apprenticeships, and statewide professional development workshops, MAIC supports policy leaders with practical models for ethical, equitable AI adoption

Another statewide initiative is the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN), led by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. MAIN focuses on creating shared infrastructure for AI training across Mississippi’s 15 community colleges, including workforce certification pathways, lab facilities, and curriculum development in partnership with industry.

Multiple states now operate formal statewide AI initiatives (including Alabama, California, and Virginia), and Mississippi itself has more than one. Both MAIC and MAIN are advancing AI education across the state.