Gov. Mike Kehoe brought together state leaders, industry experts, researchers and community members at Missouri University of Science and Technology today (Thursday, June 18) to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and data centers in the state.

“Artificial intelligence is not some idea for the future,” Kehoe said. “It’s here, and the question is not whether this technology is coming; the question is whether Missouri is going to help shape the future.”

Dr. Mo Dehghani, chancellor of Missouri S&T, welcomed the audience to the Governor’s Forum on Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers, held at the Missouri Protoplex. He participated in a panel discussion, titled “Building Missouri’s AI Talent Pipeline.” Dr. Bennett Boggs, commissioner of the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, moderated the panel. Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College, and Dr. James Stapleton, CEO of Codefi, joined Dehghani as panelists.

“Our collaboration with industry really helps us sense the direction that we need to go to grow our engineers and scientists so they will be AI-conversant,” Dehghani said.

S&T is home to experts and programs in artificial intelligence, as well as engineering fields and infrastructure, workforce development and applied research.

Additional Missouri S&T speakers included:

• Dr. Amaury Lendasse and Dr. Genda Chen gave a presentation titled “Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers 101.” Lendasse is a professor and chair of engineering management and systems engineering. Chen is the Robert W. Abbett Distinguished Chair in Civil Engineering and director of the Center for Intelligent Infrastructure.
• Dr. Joel Burken participated in a panel titled “Managing Environmental Resources,” moderated by Kurt Schaefer, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Burken is a Curators’ Distinguished Professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering.

Tim Marczewski, director of artificial intelligence and innovation for the Missouri Office of Administration, served as the forum’s moderator. An S&T alumnus, Marczewski earned a master’s degree in engineering management.

Partners for the event include the Missouri Office of Administration, Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Missouri Public Service Commission.

To learn more about the event or Missouri S&T’s artificial intelligence programs and initiatives, please visit ai.mst.edu.