Mississippi AI Collaborative — November 2025 Newsletter
Since our last update in August, Mississippi’s AI ecosystem has continued to grow in remarkable ways. The Mississippi AI Collaborative (MAIC) has expanded AI learning pathways, launched new statewide conversations, showcased educator leadership, and strengthened community partnerships, all with the goal of ensuring that every Mississippian can benefit from the opportunities AI makes possible. This fall has demonstrated just how deeply AI literacy, innovation, and workforce development are taking root across Mississippi as schools, businesses, and communities embrace this transformational moment.
AI-thon 2025
8 New Tracks for AI Certifications
In early August, MAIC launched a refreshed version of AI-Thon 2025, introducing a redesigned learning interface, new content, and expanded pathways in business and nonprofits, K–12 and higher education, healthcare, cybersecurity, agriculture, and the creative arts. Mississippians across the state continue to complete certifications from leading organizations such as Microsoft, IBM, Google, and Great Learning Academy. Learners like Candia Nelson and Maryse Holly were among those we celebrated this fall, sharing how the updated pathways made AI concepts more accessible, clear, and empowering. As one of our lead partners in the Mississippi Delta, Raymonda Alexander-Delaware, Executive Director of Dream Innovations, continues her mission of bridging the digital opportunity gap for rural youth. She has actively encouraged her students to join the AI-Thon as part of her commitment to expanding technology access, digital skills, and future career pathways in Delta communities.
This fall also marked continued growth in MAIC’s AI Agency College Apprenticeship, which offers Mississippi students hands-on training in AI and design, opportunities to work with real clients, professional certification support, and practical experience developing community-centered AI solutions. Students from institutions across the state (including Jackson State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi College, Hinds Community College, and Belhaven University) took part in this pathway during August and September.
In the area of research and statewide impact, MAIC was featured in an international case study by data.org, which highlighted Mississippi’s community-centered, public-serving model for AI literacy and workforce development. This recognition underscores the importance of Mississippi’s approach: developing AI capacity through access, equity, and local empowerment.
Mississippi’s Research Fellows also continued to lead the way in AI education. Gieshala Mims, Ed.S., MBA, presented at the THRIVE Conference and collaborated with Eva Harvell, Ed.S., and Dr. LaMarcus Norman at the Mississippi School Boards Association Policy Conference to explore strategies for integrating AI into classrooms and district operations. Eva Harvell was also featured in Education Technology Insights for her leadership in responsible edtech integration. This fall’s SPARK Chats brought additional thought leadership to the forefront, featuring Dr. James Robinson, PhD, from Jackson State University, and Lara Taylor, from Mississippi State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach. Together, they discussed AI literacy, student success, faculty development, and the importance of community-centered innovation. Dr. Robinson also led a full-day workshop at Jackson State University titled “From Theory to Application: Open Conversations on AI in Education,” where he examined major challenges in AI adoption in higher education, including academic integrity, policy development, and institutional readiness.
In November, MAIC partnered with statewide organizations to launch the Mississippi PreK–12 Teacher AI Survey, designed to gather educator input on the use of generative AI in classrooms, district policy development, professional learning needs, and barriers to implementation. Insights from this survey will play a critical role in shaping evidence-based policy and professional development across the state.
MAIC also remained active at major state conferences and events. This fall included presentations at the Pinebelt Women Business Owner Summit, the Department of Education THRIVE Conference, the Central Access Users Conference at the Beau Rivage, and the Woodward Hines “Ascent to 55%” workforce event. Research Fellows shared updates on district-level AI integration strategies at the Mississippi School Boards Association Policy Conference, and MAIC engaged hundreds of students at the Delta College & Career Fair in Greenville. Nationally, MAIC was featured in the 2025 Accelerate Report by data.org and spotlighted by the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) as a model for family-centered AI literacy.
The fall season also brought new opportunities for Mississippi’s business and nonprofit community. MAIC launched a 10-week program for small businesses, nonprofits, and startups focused on weekly business and AI training, mentorship, hands-on branding and finance support, and a culminating pitch competition. This initiative is delivered in partnership with the Alcorn Women’s Business Center, JSU College of Liberal Arts, Alcorn School of Business, and the Mississippi AI Collaborative.
Nov 2025 newsletter
On the publishing side, the Generative Minds Journal opened new calls for research papers and cover art for its upcoming Spring 2026 volume. The journal continues to grow as an academic home for educators, researchers, and practitioners exploring the ethical, pedagogical, and practical implications of AI in education.
Finally, MAIC continues to expand spaces for collaborative learning through SPARK Chats, our virtual monthly gathering designed to bring together community members, educators, and innovators for open conversations on AI across Mississippi. November’s session is scheduled for November 18 from 6–7 PM.
From classrooms to boardrooms to community centers across the state, Mississippi continues to show that AI literacy is a shared effort. We are deeply grateful to our partners, educators, students, and community leaders for their continued commitment to building a future where every Mississippian has the opportunity to learn, innovate, and thrive. Stay connected with us at mississippiai.org and follow the Mississippi AI Collaborative on LinkedIn for ongoing updates.