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Gov. Mike Kehoe convenes state leaders, industry experts and researchers to chart Missouri’s technological future.
The forum is strategically structured around dynamic panel discussions and presentations to address pivotal issues that are currently shaping the trajectory of artificial intelligence adoption and data center infrastructure development throughout Missouri. These key areas include: understanding and preparing for the substantial energy demand that next-generation data centers will require, and developing sustainable strategies to meet these needs without compromising environmental integrity; fostering robust workforce development programs designed to cultivate the essential talent pipeline Missouri requires to maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving technological landscape; carefully considering all environmental impacts to ensure that technological growth is both responsible and sustainable for the state's natural resources and ecological balance; and thoroughly examining the broader community impact of this technological expansion, with a firm commitment to ensuring that these advancements bring tangible benefits and opportunities to all Missourians.
Governor Mike Kehoe articulated the profound potential for growth and local community benefits arising from Missouri's burgeoning reputation as a prime location for innovation and cutting-edge technology. He stated that the forum is specifically designed to unite a diverse array of expertise drawn from various sectors including government, industry, higher education, and local communities. The primary objective is to cultivate a collective and shared understanding of crucial topics that possess the transformative capacity to significantly influence Missouri’s future workforce capabilities, advance its research initiatives, and enhance its overall infrastructure for the coming years.
Missouri S&T Chancellor Mohammad Dehghani underscored the university's consistent and recognized leadership in the fields of engineering and technology, asserting that this expertise makes it an inherently suitable and indispensable venue for hosting such critical discussions regarding the future trajectory of AI infrastructure and advanced technological development. He passionately emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring that graduates entering the modern workforce are not only proficient but truly fluent in these emerging AI technologies. This proficiency, he argued, is vital not merely for their participation in the unfolding AI era, but crucially for their capacity to actively help define and shape its future direction.
The Governor’s Forum on Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 18, running from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event will be hosted at Missouri S&T’s state-of-the-art Missouri Protoplex, conveniently located at 1700 White Columns Drive in Rolla. Importantly, attendance to this significant forum is free of charge and open to the general public, though mandatory registration is required to secure a spot. This collaborative initiative is proudly supported by several key governmental partners, including the Missouri Office of Administration, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the Missouri Public Service Commission, highlighting a broad state-level commitment to the forum's goals.
Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) stands as a prominent STEM-focused research university, proudly serving a diverse student body exceeding 7,000 individuals. Situated in Rolla, Missouri, the institution offers an expansive academic portfolio, boasting over 100 distinct degrees spanning 40 diverse areas of study. Missouri S&T has earned significant recognition, being consistently ranked among the nation’s top public universities for its substantial salary impact on graduates, a testament to the quality of its education and its strong ties to industry. As part of the prestigious four-campus University of Missouri System, it plays a vital role in advancing technological innovation and preparing a highly skilled workforce.