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Missouri S&T Leads AI Education and Infrastructure Dialogue in Rolla
At the crossroads of silicon and policy, Missouri S&T is carving out a niche where AI education meets state infrastructure strategy. In early June, the university staged a Governor’s Forum on Data Centers and Artificial Intelligence and launched a hands‑on AI course in Kummer College.
The Kummer Colloquium course, a four‑week intensive taught by Dr. Daniel Reardon, professor of English and technical communication, and Dr. Rachel Kohman, assistant dean of entrepreneurship education, gave Kummer Vanguard Scholars the chance to build AI‑powered avatars for marketing and business communication. Reardon stressed that the course’s goal was to foster critical thinking about AI’s role in storytelling and audience engagement, rather than simply teaching tool use. He noted his background as a former small‑business owner and his commitment to requiring students to work with generative AI in all courses.
Beyond the classroom, Missouri S&T’s leadership is engaging with state policymakers. On June 18, Governor Mike Kehoe convened the Governor’s Forum at Missouri S&T to discuss the future of AI and data centers in Missouri. The event drew state leaders, experts, and community members.
Dr. Amaury Lendasse, professor and chair of engineering management and systems engineering, and Dr. Genda Chen, the Robert W. Abbett Distinguished Chair in Civil Engineering and director of the Center for Intelligent Infrastructure, presented Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers 101. Lendasse framed AI as a present‑day technology comparable to the internet, underscoring the need for thoughtful design, regulation, and responsible use.
He outlined the economic benefits of data centers, including tax revenue, high‑paying jobs, and the creation of a technology ecosystem. According to Lendasse, data centers require skilled workers such as network engineers, security specialists, facility managers, and construction professionals. He projected that the next few years could generate at least 50,000 jobs related to data center development.
The forum also tackled whether Missouri will attract AI infrastructure. Lendasse concluded that the state’s decision to build data centers hinges on its ability to attract skilled labor and provide a supportive regulatory environment.
Reardon echoed the university’s broader mission, stating that Missouri S&T should remain a regional and national leader in science and technology research and education. He added that the institution must develop pathways for students to understand and use generative AI effectively and ethically.
The Governor’s Forum and the Kummer College course illustrate Missouri S&T’s dual focus on preparing students for an AI‑driven workforce and engaging with policymakers on the infrastructure that will support that workforce. The university’s efforts align with the state’s broader strategy to position Missouri as a hub for data center investment and AI research.
The presentations from the Governor’s Forum are available online at ai.mst.edu, providing further detail on the technical and economic considerations discussed.
As AI continues to evolve, Missouri S&T’s initiatives demonstrate a commitment to both academic rigor and practical relevance, ensuring that students and policymakers alike are equipped to navigate the opportunities and challenges of the AI era.
The Kummer Colloquium course, a four‑week intensive taught by Dr. Daniel Reardon, professor of English and technical communication, and Dr. Rachel Kohman, assistant dean of entrepreneurship education, gave Kummer Vanguard Scholars the chance to build AI‑powered avatars for marketing and business communication. Reardon stressed that the course’s goal was to foster critical thinking about AI’s role in storytelling and audience engagement, rather than simply teaching tool use. He noted his background as a former small‑business owner and his commitment to requiring students to work with generative AI in all courses.
Beyond the classroom, Missouri S&T’s leadership is engaging with state policymakers. On June 18, Governor Mike Kehoe convened the Governor’s Forum at Missouri S&T to discuss the future of AI and data centers in Missouri. The event drew state leaders, experts, and community members.
Dr. Amaury Lendasse, professor and chair of engineering management and systems engineering, and Dr. Genda Chen, the Robert W. Abbett Distinguished Chair in Civil Engineering and director of the Center for Intelligent Infrastructure, presented Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers 101. Lendasse framed AI as a present‑day technology comparable to the internet, underscoring the need for thoughtful design, regulation, and responsible use.
He outlined the economic benefits of data centers, including tax revenue, high‑paying jobs, and the creation of a technology ecosystem. According to Lendasse, data centers require skilled workers such as network engineers, security specialists, facility managers, and construction professionals. He projected that the next few years could generate at least 50,000 jobs related to data center development.
The forum also tackled whether Missouri will attract AI infrastructure. Lendasse concluded that the state’s decision to build data centers hinges on its ability to attract skilled labor and provide a supportive regulatory environment.
Reardon echoed the university’s broader mission, stating that Missouri S&T should remain a regional and national leader in science and technology research and education. He added that the institution must develop pathways for students to understand and use generative AI effectively and ethically.
The Governor’s Forum and the Kummer College course illustrate Missouri S&T’s dual focus on preparing students for an AI‑driven workforce and engaging with policymakers on the infrastructure that will support that workforce. The university’s efforts align with the state’s broader strategy to position Missouri as a hub for data center investment and AI research.
The presentations from the Governor’s Forum are available online at ai.mst.edu, providing further detail on the technical and economic considerations discussed.
As AI continues to evolve, Missouri S&T’s initiatives demonstrate a commitment to both academic rigor and practical relevance, ensuring that students and policymakers alike are equipped to navigate the opportunities and challenges of the AI era.
