Why Missouri is hosting a public forum on AI and massive data centers

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe is set to convene a public forum on artificial intelligence and large-scale data centers on June 18 at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla. The event, hosted at the Missouri Protoplex, will bring together state leaders, researchers, and industry experts to explore how these emerging technologies will shape Missouri's future.

The forum will feature panel discussions and presentations focusing on key issues driving the expansion of AI and data center development in the state. Specific topics include the increasing energy demand and power needs of next-generation data centers, strategies for workforce development and talent pipelines, environmental considerations related to sustainability, and the broader community impacts of technological growth.

According to Gov. Kehoe, the initiative aims to foster a shared understanding among state agencies, higher education institutions, industry leaders, and local communities regarding the potential influence of these technologies on Missouri's economy and infrastructure. Missouri S&T Chancellor Mohammad Dehghani highlighted the university's engineering and technology programs as an ideal setting for these statewide discussions, emphasizing the importance of preparing graduates for a workforce increasingly fluent in AI-related technologies.

The forum is partnered with several state agencies, including the Missouri Office of Administration, the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Public Service Commission. Attendance is free and open to the public, with advance registration required.