At the 2025 State of the Coast Symposium, I was honored to join business leaders from across the Mississippi Gulf Coast to share insights on a topic shaping the future of work and economic competitiveness: Artificial Intelligence.

In my keynote, Amplified, we explored how AI is already enhancing human performance—not replacing it—and how CEOs can take confident, strategic steps to leverage it within their organizations.

AI Is Here—And It’s Practical

AI is not some distant, futuristic technology—it’s already embedded in the tools your business likely uses daily. Narrow AI is transforming operations across industries from email filtering and customer service chatbots to predictive analytics in logistics and healthcare.

It’s practical. It’s affordable. And it’s designed to support—not replace—your people.

AI Amplifies, Not Replaces, Human Intelligence

The most innovative organizations will not simply adopt AI. They will use AI to make their people more strategic, creative, and effective.

AI helps automate the repetitive, accelerates the routine, and reveals insights that would otherwise go unnoticed. The results can be extraordinary when you pair that with your team’s experience and judgment.

Understanding AI Doesn’t Require a Computer Science Degree

AI isn’t magic; you don’t need to become a technical expert to benefit from it. You just need to be curious and understand its capabilities, limits, and business value.

I broke down the basics using plain language, relatable stories, and clear examples. When your team shares a common understanding, you can move faster and more confidently.

Gulf Coast Industries Are Already Being Transformed

You don’t need to look to Silicon Valley for AI innovation. It’s already happening right here:

Top 10 AI Applications on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

10. Customer Service Chatbots: Coast Electric Power Association automates service inquiries 24/7, boosting responsiveness while reducing call center strain.

9. Talent Matching & Workforce Development: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College uses AI to align training programs with labor market needs and improve job placement.

8. Real-Time Fraud Detection: Hancock Whitney Bank uses machine learning to monitor transactions and flag anomalies, protecting customers and ensuring compliance.

7. Smart Grid Energy Forecasting: Mississippi Power applies AI to optimize load balancing and forecast energy demands, reducing waste and improving grid reliability.

6. Forest Risk and Resource Management: The Mississippi Forestry Commission uses AI-driven image analysis to predict wildfires and improve sustainable timber harvesting.

5. AI-Powered Guest Experience: Beau Rivage Resort & Casino leverages AI to personalize offers and adjust pricing based on real-time demand, driving revenue growth.

4. Healthcare Workflow and Diagnostics: Singing River Health System enhances triage, diagnosis, and scheduling with AI, resulting in faster, more accurate patient care.

3. Quality Control in Manufacturing: Chemours – DeLisle Plant uses AI-powered computer vision to detect real-time production flaws, reducing scrap and costs.

2. Predictive Maintenance in Aerospace: Stennis Space Center contractors forecast equipment failures before they happen, increasing uptime and reducing risk.

1. AI in Shipbuilding and Maritime Logistics: Ingalls Shipbuilding and Port of Gulfport use AI to design ships, simulate trade routes, and optimize port traffic, making Mississippi a model for advanced maritime innovation.

The Biggest Barrier Isn’t the Technology—It’s the Problem Framing

AI won’t solve the wrong problem. That’s why innovation starts with asking better questions.

Many businesses fall into the trap of rushing into AI implementation without clearly defining what problem they’re solving. I demonstrated how combining human insight and AI tools can help reframe business challenges and uncover better opportunities.

Innovation Is a Local Tradition, Not a New Trend

This isn’t the first time Gulf Coast industries have faced disruptive technology. The region has evolved as depicted in these SORA-generated videos:

• Mechanization in manufacturing
• Electrification of ports and refineries
• Digital modernization in healthcare and logistics
• Post-Katrina tech-driven recovery

AI is just the next wave. You’ve been here before, and you’ve adapted every time.

Risk of Inaction Is Real

Choosing to wait on AI is not a neutral decision. Businesses that delay risk losing ground to more agile competitors. The cost of inaction isn’t just inefficiency—it’s missed opportunity, lost market share, and a workforce left behind.

Now is the time to explore, experiment, and lead.

You’re Not Alone—GCBC, USM, and I Are Here to Help

The Gulf Coast Business Council, USM Executive Education, and The Idea Guy® are committed to helping business leaders in the region take their first—or next—step with AI.

Whether it’s through workshops, executive briefings, or strategy development, we’re ready to support you.

What You Can Do Next

If you’re ready to move from curiosity to action, here’s where to begin:

1. Start a Conversation with an Expert

Speak with someone who has applied Generative AI in real-world business settings. Their experience can help shape your first steps—and save time and effort.

2. Educate Yourself and Your Team

Get the basics down—fast. Workshops, lunch-and-learns, and executive sessions are far more efficient than trial and error. When your team is aligned, progress accelerates.

3. Select a Project to Gain Experience

Pick one area—communications, operations, customer service—and test a use case. Evaluate what works, and use it as a foundation to grow.

About the Author

Kevin Popović, The Idea Guy® Innovation Strategist | Gen AI Explorer | Trusted Advisor to CEOs www.theideaguy.us | LinkedIn

Kevin Popović is a nationally recognized innovation educator and strategic advisor. He helps CEOs and executive teams apply creative thinking and Generative AI to solve real-world problems. Kevin teaches executive education at UC San Diego and the University of Southern Mississippi and consults for organizations of all sizes—from startups to Fortune 500 companies.