Artifical Intelligence Initiatives | Jackson State University

Jackson State University’s Artificial Intelligence Initiatives

Jackson State University stands at the forefront of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into higher education. This page highlights groundbreaking initiatives, including cutting-edge research projects, innovative academic programs, and dynamic partnerships that position JSU as a leader in this rapidly evolving field.

Jackson State University Artificial Intelligence Policy

The Jackson State University AI policy outlines the permissible uses of generative AI in education, aimed at enhancing learning rather than replacing human creativity and critical thinking.

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Signature AI Initiatives

These initiatives show how JSU is moving from AI awareness to AI implementation through policy, training, student apprenticeship, applied service, faculty development, and interdisciplinary learning.

Governance

AI Infusion Committee

Spearheaded by Dr. Loretta Moore and Dr. Alisa Mosley, the AI Infusion Committee coordinates AI integration across teaching, curriculum, policy, faculty development, and institutional strategy.

Student Innovation

AI for Social Impact Challenge

The JSU AI for Social Impact Challenge invites students and campus partners to apply AI to real-world problems connected to education, health, business, civic life, equity, and community benefit.

Upskilling

Mississippi AI-Thon

Through the Mississippi AI Collaborative, JSU participates in free generative AI upskilling powered by Microsoft and LinkedIn Learning, expanding AI literacy across the state.

Learn about the AI-Thon

Education Research

AI-Assisted STEM Learning

The NSF Targeted Infusion Project uses AI-supported assessment and Writing-to-Learn pedagogy to strengthen conceptual understanding in STEM education.

View the project

Applied AI

Mississippi AI Agency at JSU

Founded in February 2024, the AI Agency trains JSU students in generative AI and supports Mississippi small businesses and nonprofits with practical AI solutions.

Explore the AI Agency

Faculty Development

Faculty Development for Student Success

Responsible AI adoption depends on faculty capacity. JSU’s student-success and professional-development infrastructure provides the foundation for training faculty to use AI in ways that support learning, persistence, academic integrity, and equitable access.

Faculty-development and student-success trainings led by Dr. Candis Pizetta are part of JSU’s AI integration strategy, especially where trainings support responsible AI use, course design, academic support, assignment redesign, and student learning.

Learn More about Faculty Trainings

AI-Related Research, Grants, and Infrastructure

JSU’s AI portfolio includes federally funded research, biomedical innovation, cyberinfrastructure, critical infrastructure protection, and generative AI training for social impact.

NSF Machine Learning for Cancer Treatment Grant

Lead: Dr. Jian-Ge Zhou, Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences

Applies AI and machine learning to cancer treatment research with the goal of improving treatment outcomes. This project connects machine learning, biomedical science, computational modeling, and health innovation.

NSF Cyberinfrastructure Grant

Team: Dr. Deborah Dent, Principal Investigator; Dr. Natarajan Meghanathan; Dr. Tor Kwembe; Dr. Hung-Chung Huang

Enhances cybersecurity and cyberinfrastructure capacity with implications for AI, machine learning, data-intensive research, and HBCU advanced computing readiness.

NIH REACH Grant

Lead: Dr. Almesha L. Campbell, Assistant Vice President for Research and Economic Development

Advances biomedical innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting JSU’s broader innovation pipeline and creating pathways for AI-enabled health technologies, commercialization, and translational research.

Global Generative AI Skills Challenge Award

Team: Dr. Brittany Myburgh, Co-PI; Dr. Rico Chapman; Mark Geil; Dr. Craig A. Meyer; Dr. Alisa Mosley; Kaymen Russell

Supports generative AI training for social impact through the Mississippi AI Collaborative, connecting liberal arts, art and design, business, writing, research administration, faculty development, and community engagement.

NSF Targeted Infusion Project

Team: Dr. Wei Zheng, Principal Investigator; Dr. Jie Ke; Dr. Yonghua Yan; Dr. Joon Young Lee; Dr. Doreen N. Myrie

Implements Writing-to-Learn pedagogy with AI-driven assessments in STEM education, using AI-supported feedback to advance conceptual understanding, metacognition, and HBCU-centered educational innovation.

Entergy Charitable Foundation Grant: Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab

Lead: Dr. Wilbur Walters, Dean of the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology

Establishes the Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab with AI integration for cybersecurity, supporting research and training in critical infrastructure protection, threat detection, and cyber-physical systems security.

Convenings, Conferences, and Campuswide Learning

Southern Spark 2025 was hosted by JSU at the Mississippi E-Center and convened educators, entrepreneurs, technology leaders, and community stakeholders.

JSU’s Interdisciplinary AI Symposium explored AI in education, liberal arts, business, writing, digital humanities, student support, faculty development, and institutional policy.

The JSU AI Meet & Greet brought together the campus community for an expanded discussion on AI in both teaching and research.

JSU hosted a MAIN x OpenAI one day convening in the Jackson State University Student Center.

The JSU Social Impact Challenge convened students and faculty teams for hands-on practical problem solving with AI applications.

Southern Spark 2026, themed “Grounded Futures: AI in the South,” was hosted by JSU in the Student Center and focused on real-world AI applications, community impact, Southern innovation, and practical implementation.

AI Ecosystem Timeline

August 2023

Jackson State University named as a Generative AI Skills Challenge Awardee

The Mississippi AI Collaborative, partnering with JSU Faculty, wins an international Generative AI grant to promote AI upskilling in Mississippi.

September 2023 – August 2026

NSF Targeted Infusion Project

AI-driven writing assessment and Writing-to-Learn pedagogy in STEM education.

February 2024

Mississippi AI Agency at JSU founded

Student generative AI training and applied support for Mississippi nonprofits and small businesses.

2024–2025

Mississippi AI-Thon and statewide AI upskilling

Generative AI learning using Microsoft and LinkedIn Learning curriculum and MAIC programming.

2025–2026

AI Infusion Committee, MAIN, & faculty-development

Campuswide AI coordination, statewide AI ecosystem framing, and student-success-oriented faculty training.

2025–2026

JSU AI for Social Impact Challenge

Applied AI challenge focused on social, civic, educational, health, business, and community impact.

2026

Southern Spark 2026

Regional AI convening at JSU focused on “Grounded Futures: AI in the South.”