Mississippi AI Collaborative: Building Workforce-Ready Communities

What building AI-readiness and technology acumen with students isn’t about more sophisticated tools—but about putting knowledge and access directly in the hands of students and communities? The Mississippi AI Collaborative (MAIC) is proving that when you center students and communities in technology adoption, you create solutions that actually work. Through a bold community-first, human-centered framework, MAIC has engaged 3,400+ individuals, trained 1,400+ educators, and supported 86 businesses—building an actionable and adaptable pathway that improves student experience from PreK classrooms through workforce entry and continued career success. This isn't about technology for technology's sake or chasing the latest trend. This is about building instructional technology solutions that serve students' actual needs at every stage of their educational journey—from elementary curiosity through career achievement. By starting with people instead of platforms, MAIC has created a replicable model that works for any community seeking digital transformation, including rural areas, under-resourced institutions, and diverse learners. In this session led by the Mississippi AI Collaborative, discover the framework that's making MAIC a national model for community-centered AI education. Whether you serve K-12 students, community college learners, university programs, or workforce development initiatives, you'll leave with practical strategies, real data, and resources for creating measurable impact in your own community.