The University of Nebraska Foundation will receive a $250,000 gift from Google to support the advancement of artificial intelligence research and education across the University of Nebraska system. The announcement was made Nov. 25 during an event at the Nebraska Innovation Campus.
This donation is part of a broader set of investments Google is making to support education in Nebraska. The funding will enable faculty and students to explore cutting-edge AI technologies, helping position the University of Nebraska as a leader in AI innovation.
The event also included the announcement of a $930 million infrastructure investment by Google to expand its data center campuses in Lincoln, Papillion and Omaha. The investment aims to meet growing demand for Google Cloud services, advancements in AI and other digital solutions.
“The University of Nebraska is proud to celebrate with Google a transformative investment in our state and our future,” said Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, president of the NU System. “Their generous gift underscores our shared commitment to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, ensuring we remain at the forefront of research, teaching and public engagement.” »
The donation comes as the university system ramps up its focus on AI. Earlier this year, the University of Nebraska launched a new undergraduate program in generative AI, a collaboration between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The four universities in the NU system are actively developing AI-related programs and integrating the technology into teaching and innovation. A newly formed AI working group, made up of faculty and staff from diverse disciplines – including information technology, medicine, agriculture, engineering and librarianship – is exploring ways to collaborate between campuses and maximize the impact of artificial intelligence.
“The University of Nebraska’s work in AI, including the initiatives supported by this gift, is critical to our vision for the future,” Gold said. “As we strive to be an exceptional university system, we must also play a leading role in understanding, using and advancing emerging technologies like AI. »
