Mississippi is taking bold steps to establish itself as a leader in technology and artificial intelligence (AI). The state signed a memorandum of understanding with NVIDIA in June 2023, marking a significant partnership aimed at enhancing AI education, workforce development, and economic initiatives. This collaboration is poised to create numerous opportunities for residents, businesses, and investors, placing Mississippi on the map as a prominent tech hub in the Southern United States.
“This collaboration with NVIDIA is monumental for Mississippi,” stated Governor Tate Reeves. He emphasized that the partnership would expand AI education and foster innovation, creating pathways to careers in AI and cybersecurity—fields that are rapidly gaining importance in the job market. The initiative aims to train 10,000 residents in future-oriented careers, particularly in cybersecurity, by incorporating AI, machine learning, and data science programs into community colleges and universities.
The project aligns Mississippi with states such as Utah, California, and Oregon, which have similar agreements with NVIDIA. Educators will receive certification through NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Institute, ensuring high-quality training. “By expanding AI education and fostering collaboration between our research institutions, industry leaders, and workforce initiatives, we are creating an ecosystem that drives innovation,” noted Courtney Taylor, executive director of Accelerate MS, which oversees these educational efforts.
Mississippi has also established the nation’s first AI system—the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN). This initiative is part of a broader strategy to facilitate workforce development in the face of rapid technological advancements. The state has launched the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program (MAI-TAP) and secured $9.1 million in grants for higher education institutions. This expansion includes collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), which has committed to investing $10 billion in a data center in Mississippi, creating approximately 1,000 jobs with an average salary of $66,000.
The ripple effects of the AWS project are already evident, as other companies take notice of Mississippi’s growing reputation in cloud computing and machine learning. Notably, AVAIO Digital is set to establish a $6 billion data center complex in Brandon, just east of Jackson. Governor Reeves remarked on the transformative impact of the AWS project, stating, “While it’s still under construction, thousands are already at work due to AWS choosing to locate in Mississippi.”
The state’s commitment to customized workforce training solutions has proven beneficial for numerous employers. For instance, Meridian Community College provided targeted training for over 400 companies and 14,000 individuals in the 2024-25 period, serving industry leaders such as Lockheed Martin and Fairbanks Scales. Similarly, East Mississippi Community College developed a noncredit, stackable credential pathway to meet specific employer needs.
Mississippi’s tech-driven economic initiatives reflect a broader effort to enhance its business climate. The state has eliminated the individual income tax and was ranked number 2 in real GDP growth in 2024. Major corporations, including Nissan, Toyota, and Northrop Grumman, have already established operations in the state, further solidifying its status as a viable destination for business investment.
As all these initiatives converge, Bill Cork, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, highlighted the significance of the AWS project, stating it has positioned Mississippi as a hub for AI and machine learning. Cork noted that the state’s investments in infrastructure and workforce development are validating its pro-business policies, stating, “AWS choosing Mississippi affirms that we’re not just in the game, but we’re in it to win it.”
The efforts underway in Mississippi represent a concerted push towards a dynamic future, where technology and innovation are set to reshape the economic landscape for generations to come.
