Preview the Southern Spark schedule, explore the sessions, and register when you’re ready to join us.
Opening welcome and orientation for Day 1 attendees.
Lunch keynote address from Dr. Loretta Moore.
Lunch keynote address from Dr. Chris Chism.
2026-06-11
Check in, grab coffee, and connect with fellow attendees before the conference begins.
Opening welcome and orientation for Day 1 attendees.
A hands-on workshop exploring personalized AI workflows with Google NotebookLM.
A practical session on using AI to move customer discovery work from concept to action faster.
A classroom-centered workshop on using AI intentionally and purposefully in teaching practice.
Poster Presentations: Evaluating an Instructional Technology Intervention to Increase AI Readiness Among Adult Learners in Community-Based Education Programs by Benjamin Goudy,...
A systems-focused build session on creating smarter workflows with tools such as Claude Code.
A practical framework for moving from AI learning to tangible value and implementation.
A practical classroom session on using Khan Academy and Khanmigo with safety and intentional instructional design.
Lunch keynote address from Dr. Chris Chism.
An informal networking session with Jamal Lewis, Christele Parham, and Bob Buseck focused on building AI solutions through innovation and statewide partnerships. Participants will...
A Mississippi Department of Education session on the state's K-12 AI policy and teacher training efforts.
Multimodal Learning with AI Using Adobe Express.
Networking break between the afternoon session blocks.
A strategy-forward session on gaming emerging AI technology decisions for social impact outcomes.
A classroom implementation session focused on practical AI incorporation for educators.
Interactive closing activity where teams form around a regional challenge, design an AI solution, and deliver rapid presentations. Includes challenge briefing, brainstorming, and p...
Evening networking reception for attendees, speakers, sponsors, and ecosystem builders.
2026-06-12
Coffee, networking, and opening remarks to start Day 2.
A session on building statewide innovation infrastructure for public impact.
An ethics-centered framework for building an AI learning ecosystem.
A teaching and learning session on applying Suno AI in grounded, collaborative ways.
Open networking time for attendee conversations, sponsor stops, and hallway meetings.
A session focused on building institutional AI capacity beyond tool adoption.
An educator-focused view of today's AI landscape and practical adoption considerations.
A practical session on using Google Colab to expand access and close rural digital divides.
Short transition break before lunch keynote.
Lunch keynote address from Dr. Loretta Moore.
A Mississippi-focused case study on scaling AI access county by county.
A founder-focused conversation about building regional AI ecosystems alongside startups and founders.
A session on using AI and data literacy to connect classrooms to talent pipeline development.
A governance-first look at responsible AI deployment through real-world Mississippi use cases.
Short Spark Chat break between afternoon sessions.
A regional innovation conversation about what it takes to build a stronger tech hub.
A candid session on why product thinking matters more than hype when building with AI.
A session on the often-unseen systems and behaviors that shape innovation culture.
Short Spark Chat break before the final session block.
A creative session on coding, music, messaging, and engaging the next generation of technologists.
Jackson State University social impact challenge session.
A session exploring AI and dysfluency in a community and policy context.
Short transition break before the closing conversation.
A closing conversation about the future of Mississippi's AI ecosystem, moderated by Krystal Chatman.
