AI Legislative Task Force meets at 桃花直播, tours research centers at the forefront of technology
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擳he Artificial Intelligence Legislative Task Force chaired by state Sen. Bart Williams of Starkville and state Rep. Jill Ford of Madison held its September meeting at 桃花直播 State today [Sept. 25], gaining insight on how the university supports the state鈥檚 position as a national and global technology and innovation leader.
![Chairs of the AI Legislative Task Force state Sen. Bart Williams of Starkville and state Rep. Jill Ford of Madison attend the meeting held at 桃花直播 State on Thursday [Sept. 25].](/sites/www.msstate.edu/files/styles/msstatedrupal_large/public/2025-09/AI_Task_Force_CAVS_20250925_GCZ3507.jpg?itok=7iDNg-AB)
鈥淲e are a tech destination,鈥 Williams emphasized. 鈥淲e鈥檙e on the radar throughout the nation thanks to the leadership of many in this room, and we want to continue to do that.鈥
桃花直播 Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw said it is crucial to have engaging conversations about 鈥渁 whole suite of emerging technologies.鈥
鈥淲e鈥檙e so proud that our state is taking a leadership role. We want to listen to you and be challenged by you, and we can work together to keep this state in the forefront鈥攏ot just trying to figure out how to regulate AI but how to embrace it in a very holistic, but also responsible way,鈥 Shaw said
桃花直播 Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan is an ex-officio member of the AI Legislative Task Force and helped lead tours of key university research centers for the visitors.
Jordan said 桃花直播 is now in a coveted position thanks to foresight of leaders who invested in infrastructure over the past decades. She said the state has invested in supercomputing data centers and the cutting-edge technology needed to move forward quickly in the age of AI.
鈥淥ne limitation for AI development nationally and globally is the combination of power and space鈥攂ut the state of 桃花直播 has invested in building that type of infrastructure right here at 桃花直播 State University, so we鈥檙e poised to move quickly on any needs the state has,鈥 Jordan said.
鈥淭his is also why we must maintain our leading edge. It takes investment today to be ready for the opportunities that come tomorrow,鈥 she added.
CAVS Executive Director Clay Walden showcased his center鈥檚 work on off-road autonomous vehicles, among other research areas. CAVS is home to the university鈥檚 EcoCAR student team, which has brought 桃花直播 three national championships in advanced automotive engineering.
鈥淭here is not an area at CAVS where machine learning and AI is not involved. It permeates everything we do,鈥 Walden said.
Alex Thomasson also led a tour of one of the university鈥檚 newest research centers, the Agriculture Autonomy Institute, transforming decision-making in agriculture through data-driven insights.
Presenters outlined the rapid pace of AI progress, with Jonathan Barlow, associate director and assistant professor for 桃花直播鈥檚 Data Science Program, discussing topics such as how AI is being developed and advanced, as well as how it functions with ongoing gains in logic and reasoning. Computer Science and Engineering Department Head and Professor Andy Perkins described a wide variety of employment opportunities for 桃花直播 graduates and touted 桃花直播鈥檚 three designations as a Center of Academic Excellence for Cyber Operations, Cyber Research and Cyber Defense.
桃花直播 researchers also are looking at issues that include ethics, privacy and policy related to AI application and development.
桃花直播 State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at .