Southern Spark Conference Recap: A Statewide Gathering to Spark AI Innovation in Mississippi
On June 17–18, 2025, the Southern Spark Conference convened educators, researchers, technologists, and civic leaders from across Mississippi at the Mississippi E-Center for two days of focused exploration into the role of artificial intelligence in the future of the state. Hosted by the Mississippi AI Collaborative, the conference offered a comprehensive program of keynotes, panels, and workshops that addressed the urgent need to build AI literacy, capacity, and strategy across sectors.
The event began with an opening keynote delivered by Bob Buseck, Executive Director of Mississippi Coding Academies. His remarks framed the evolving nature of workforce preparation in the age of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that coding education must now account for the reality of generative tools, automation, and the shift from rote technical skills to adaptive, process-oriented thinking. Buseck underscored the need for agility in workforce training, sharing how the Coding Academies are pivoting to ensure learners are prepared not only for today’s jobs, but for emerging roles that AI will continue to reshape.
The morning continued with a plenary panel featuring the AI Research Fellows of the Mississippi AI Collaborative. Educators and researchers including Lara Taylor of Mississippi State University, Cynthia Wilkins of Belhaven University, Craig A. Meyer of Jackson State University, LaMarcus Norman of StoneBridge Elementary, Gieshala Mims of Senatobia Middle School, and Eva Harvell of the Pascagoula-Gautier School District shared insights into how AI is being explored in both K–12 and higher education contexts. Their work highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration and locally grounded approaches to AI experimentation.
As the day progressed, attendees participated in concurrent sessions covering a range of topics. In one session, Emily Jerkins Hall of Bloom Economy Labs presented on building AI-ready talent pipelines and the importance of regional coordination to support equitable workforce development. Meanwhile, William Blake of Jackson Public Schools and CSTA-MS led a session focused on empowering K–5 educators with accessible strategies for introducing AI to young learners. Other workshops covered emerging research in AI and aphasia, collaborative efforts among educator fellows, and strategies for navigating teacher burnout in the face of increasing technological demands.
A lunch keynote by David Collins of Red Beans Consulting and Innovate Mississippi shifted the conversation toward systems thinking, encouraging institutions and organizations to align their innovation strategies around shared AI infrastructure. The afternoon sessions featured additional panels, including a discussion led by Chris Chism of Pearl Public School District, Craig Meyer, and James Robinson of Jackson State University. Chism in particular highlighted efforts to create secure infrastructure, like in-district servers, to protect student and teacher data. The overall session emphasized the importance of reframing technology not as an outcome, but as a framework for inquiry-based learning and student-driven exploration. Simultaneously, Trevor Acy of Delta Product Group hosted a session on the role of AI in startup environments, reinforcing the need for Mississippi entrepreneurs to build fluency in AI tools from the early stages of development.
Day one concluded with an engaging lineup of sessions on custom GPTs in education, augmented reality tools like 8th Wall, and the application of digital twin technologies presented by Andre Cox. Notably, Jamal Lewis of the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation at Georgia Tech delivered a compelling presentation on empowering local public-private partnerships. Drawing from his background in economic development, Lewis spoke about creating inclusive ecosystems where AI supports entrepreneurship and resource access in underrepresented communities.
The second day of the conference opened with sessions focused on digital learning and team implementation. Brett Ball, representing the University of Minnesota, offered a perspective on empowering students through technology, while Lara Taylor returned with a presentation on preparing learners with the critical skills necessary for the generative AI era. Her session emphasized the role of higher education in embedding interdisciplinary and ethical approaches to AI instruction.
One of the most distinctive sessions of the day was led by faculty from East Central Community College. In a collaborative presentation, Matthew Blackwell, Taylor Harrison, Alisha Milam, and Stacie Weir showcased their work on integrating AI into humanities instruction. Rather than isolating AI as a technical field, they illustrated how writing, literature, and history courses can meaningfully engage with emerging technologies through critical analysis and media literacy. This session served as a strong example of how community colleges are making space for thoughtful, values-driven engagement with AI across disciplines.
The final series of workshops featured sessions on integrating AI into business accelerators, empowering K–12 classrooms, and designing effective organizational adoption strategies. Shelley Thompson (Mississippi State University), led the conversation on empowering teachers in classrooms with AI tools that support (not replace) pedagogy. Andrew Mitchell of Oplos Consulting presented on how teams can move beyond interest in AI toward real, grounded implementation within internal operations and service delivery. Meanwhile, the AI Educator Fellow Workshops and Focus Group facilitated ongoing planning and peer-to-peer collaboration among K–12 and higher education professionals invested in sustainable AI integration.
The conference concluded with a keynote by Shaina Glass, Director of Education at the Computer Science Teachers Association. In her address, Glass returned to the core theme of the conference: educators must be at the center of any effort to build responsive and future-ready AI ecosystems. She called for increased professional development, inclusive curriculum design, and policies that recognize educators as leaders of AI learning.
Over two days, Southern Spark created a space where diverse voices and practical strategies could come together in a shared effort to define what AI readiness means for Mississippi. From rethinking classroom instruction and educator support to strengthening workforce pipelines and public-private partnerships, the conference highlighted not only the challenges ahead but also the creativity and commitment already present in the state.
As conversations continue across districts, campuses, and industries, the momentum from Southern Spark offers a clear message: Mississippi has the talent, leadership, and vision to build a locally rooted, future-forward approach to AI education and innovation.
The Mississippi AI Collaborative would like to extend its sincere thanks to the sponsors who made Southern Spark possible. Their generous support helped create an environment where educators, students, and community leaders could gather, share, and spark new ideas. We are especially grateful to AWS in Communities, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, Epicenter Memphis, Camelback Ventures, Mississippi State University, the Mississippi Coding Academies (MCA), the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), Jackson State University, The Bean Path, Red Beans Group, Innovate Mississippi, and Profound Logic for their commitment to innovation and AI education in Mississippi.