Jackson State University (JSU) solidified its commitment to innovation in July 2025 by hosting its first immersive ChatGPT workshop, a collaborative effort with the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) and OpenAI Academy. The landmark event successfully gathered nearly 500 participants from Mississippi’s education, workforce, and government sectors for a full day of practical AI learning and collaboration.
The workshop provided hands-on, applied training in generative AI, allowing attendees to engage directly with OpenAI Academy instructors and gain real-world experience using ChatGPT for various professional scenarios.
JSU played a central role in organizing and hosting the event, demonstrating its leadership in advancing innovation and workforce development. Dr. Almesha Campbell, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, highlighted the event’s importance:
“As a partner of MAIN, we were excited to collaborate with leaders across the state to host events like this at JSU,” Dr. Campbell said. “Artificial intelligence is reshaping discovery, teaching, and workforce development, and it’s critical that our faculty, staff, and students are not only prepared but positioned to lead and drive innovation. This hands-on workshop demonstrates JSU’s role in advancing applied research and entrepreneurship while ensuring that Mississippi remains competitive in the AI-driven future.”
The sentiment was echoed by Dr. Kollin Napier, director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network. “Mississippi is not waiting on the future. We are building it,” Dr. Napier stated. “MAIN is proud to lead this work, and this workshop was more than a milestone. It demonstrated the momentum and unity across our state to equip educators, public officials, and workforce leaders with the tools they need to thrive in the AI era.”
This workshop builds directly on JSU’s growing portfolio of AI and machine learning initiatives. Earlier this year, the university secured a $1.3 million state grant administered by AccelerateMS to advance AI education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. This funding will support JSU’s Executive On Roster (XOR) initiative, positioning the university to lead a statewide effort to engage students, educators, and entrepreneurs in emerging technologies and applied learning.
MAIN, the nation’s first statewide AI initiative, is based at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) and operates in partnership with all public colleges and universities in the state. Supported by industry leaders such as NVIDIA, AWS, and Intel, MAIN works to expand digital fluency and accelerate workforce development, helping to establish Mississippi as a national leader in the burgeoning field of AI education.
