Mississippi has unveiled a statewide plan to navigate the ever-evolving roadmap of artificial intelligence with the overarching goal of boosting its workforce.
Gov. Tate Reeves announced the Mississippi Statewide AI Framework on Thursday, articulating priorities and providing a structured, stage-by-stage map of the AI skills learners need from K-12 through career leadership. The governor added that the framework is rooted in the idea that AI will not replace human input, but rather strengthen it.
“Mississippi isn’t just attracting the industries of the future, we’re building them. This framework is another example of our state leading the way in American innovation,” Reeves said. “Artificial intelligence is going to transform industries, and this cutting-edge framework gives our students, educators, and workforce development partners a clear roadmap to ensure Mississippians have the education and skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.”
The framework was developed by the AI Workforce Readiness Council, a subcommittee of the State Workforce Investment Board, in partnership with AccelerateMS and the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network.
Reeves noted that the Mississippi Statewide AI Framework establishes a shared statewide foundation for how artificial intelligence is understood, taught, and applied across education and the workforce. It outlines clear expectations for AI literacy and skill development at every stage — from K-12 through postsecondary education and into career advancement — ensuring alignment between classrooms, training programs, and employer needs.
“This is about more than technology — it’s about people,” AccelerateMS Executive Director Dr. Courtney Taylor said. “We are building a system that prepares every Mississippian — from a student in the Delta to a shipbuilder on the Gulf Coast — to adapt, compete, and succeed in a rapidly changing world.”
Organized around 11 core AI skill domains, the framework defines competencies ranging from:
- Foundational AI understanding
- Ethical reasoning
- Cybersecurity awareness
- Real-world application across Mississippi industries, including precision agriculture, coastal resilience, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare
Reeves added the domains are designed to ensure that learners not only understand AI tools but also develop the critical thinking, adaptability, and judgment needed to lead in an AI-enabled economy.
Notably, the framework is not a curriculum or mandate. Instead, it serves as a flexible guide that enables schools, colleges, and workforce partners to design programs that align with statewide priorities while meeting local needs.
“This framework is about preparing Mississippi’s workforce for what’s next,” said Dr. Kollin Napier, director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network and chair of the AI Workforce Readiness Council. “It keeps human judgment at the center of every decision and gives educators and employers a clear path to equip learners with the skills needed to succeed in an AI-driven economy.”
As AI evolves, so will the framework alongside the technology it addresses, officials said, adding that it will undergo ongoing review and refinement and that state partners will remain in communication regarding any future changes. The full Mississippi Statewide AI Framework is can be viewed here.
