JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) announced the launch of the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program (MAI-TAP).

Reeves said the initiative fosters the development of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and related technical capacities across the state’s institutions of higher learning to support the expansion of Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Mississippi. The initiative also creates training infrastructure that benefits the broader technology and information infrastructure sectors.

The initiative is a partnership between AccelerateMS, the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) and AWS.

The governor also announced $9.1 million in grants through MAI-TAP to institutions of higher learning.

“This is another bold step forward for Mississippi,” said 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.”

Grant recipients include:

• Alcorn State University: $1.15 million to train individuals in southwest Mississippi on digital literacy and artificial intelligence fundamentals. This funding will also allow for the deployment of telehealth resources through ASU’s School of Nursing to improve healthcare access to underserved, rural communities.
• Belhaven University: $390K to hire a dedicated AI program chair and integrate AI content into its online MBA curriculum to ensure working professionals have practical, industry-aligned AI skills.
• Jackson State University: $1.3 million to launch an Executive On Roster (XOR) program to engage AI experts and provide real-time industry insights, ensuring that workforce participants have relevant and appropriate skills. 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.
• Millsaps College: $1 million to build upon an existing private investment. Millsaps will establish an endowed chair in AI and Emerging Technology. Through the ELSEWORKS student consulting program and in partnership with JSU, Millsaps will assist small businesses with AI integration.
• Mississippi College: $723K to leverage existing, private funding. Mississippi College’s funding will create a 12-hour certificate and a 6-hour microcredential in their School of Law to ensure Mississippi’s future and current lawyers have knowledge needed to thrive in the AI/machine learning enabled world.
• Mississippi State University: $2.2 million to establish an endowment and seek private match for AI/machine learning workforce and research initiatives. This includes two new faculty lines and the development of a graduate certificate in Data Center Construction Management – one of the first of its kind nationally.
• University of Southern Mississippi: $1.24 million to establish a Maritime AI Innovation Lab to accelerate AI adoption in Mississippi’s Blue Economy. The Lab will focus on port efficiency, vessel safety, and supply chain optimization. Additionally, USM will launch a master’s degree in Robotics and Intelligent Systems. Funding includes support for faculty, graduate researchers, and critical GPU infrastructure. USM will establish an endowment and seek private match to support AI/machine learning research and application of innovations.

The governor also highlighted several institutions of higher learning that did not receive funding but are still playing a major role in MAI-TAP, through existing funding and collaborative efforts. This includes Co-Lin Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Hinds Community College and the University of Mississippi.

“This is about more than just jobs—it’s about opportunity,” said Reeves. “With this initiative, we’re ensuring that Mississippi leads the way in AI and machine learning innovation, as well as workforce readiness. It’s another big day for Mississippi.”