Mississippi

As the newly appointed CSO, Stephanie Hedgepeth will work to connect AI, cloud, and strategy to help steer Mississippi’s modernization efforts. Officials announced the state’s AI Innovation Hub earlier this year.

The state’s work with the technology company aims to bring artificial intelligence education and real-world innovation to classrooms, communities and industry. It's intended to bring in jobs as well.

Plus, the FCC is investigating Comcast for its diversity commitment, the Houston Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy held its second digital symposium, Mississippi has awarded funding for 12 broadband projects, and more.

In a step toward more transparency in government, the Lee County Board of Supervisors began streaming their meetings live on social media at the beginning of the new year.

The state recently launched an AI Innovation Hub and is in the process of creating a Cloud Center of Excellence. Other tech priorities include procurement modernization and citizen-focused digital services.

Gov. Tate Reeves’ executive order mandates a statewide inventory of AI technologies, guidelines to responsibly integrate AI into public services and bridging communication across state agencies.

CIO Craig Orgeron has a plan to help the state spark more innovation with AI — one that includes a “two-pizza team” and an executive order. He talked at NASCIO about what’s already happened and what he hopes will come with AI.

State CIO Craig Orgeron said he believes many young tech professionals have the desire to do public service. At the NASCIO 2024 Annual Conference, he talked about seemingly small changes that might attract those workers.

Plus, a settlement will enable access to affordable Internet in New York, Indigenous libraries are getting funding for digital inclusion, and more.

The university's Mississippi AI Agency, a student-led initiative that launched this spring, challenges students who are receiving continual AI training to help businesses utilize generative AI.

The nine-year state CIO and leader of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, who stepped down in 2020, will return in both roles starting Monday.

David Johnson, a veteran state staffer who became executive director of the Department of Information Technology Services in November 2020, will retire in June. A search for his replacement is underway.

Telecommunications and tech services company C Spire will build 90 miles of fiber and infrastructure in Meridian, bringing multi-gigabit-speed fiber Internet to thousands of homes. Construction for some neighborhoods will wrap as soon as June.

At least two lawsuits have been filed over a data breach at Singing River Health System that compromised the personal information of 250,000 or more employees and patients, attorneys claim.

Energy-hungry cryptocurrency mining operations have caught the attention of state and federal lawmakers. While some welcome the operations, others are taking a more critical look at what they bring to the table.

A partnership with the University of Mississippi Medical Center allows 440,000 K-12 students to get medical attention online for minor illnesses or mental health issues while public schools are out of session.

Plus, Mississippi nets more federal funds to connect residents to affordable Internet, Connecticut directs $10 million to upgrade its senior centers, and more.

With a steady hand and commitment to collaboration, the former Mississippi state CIO left his mark on the public-sector IT community.