On December 18, Governor Phil Murphy and Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber revealed a new, unprecedented partnership between the academic institution and state government “to establish a hub for artificial intelligence” activity in New Jersey. The project will be run in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, or NJEDA.
“Leveraging state funding and private sector partnerships, the initiative will advance New Jersey’s leadership in AI and catalyze innovation in AI technologies, drive job growth and economic development across the region, promote rapid and responsible development of the field, and guide governments and public entities on AI implementation,” the press release states. “The establishment of this new initiative underscores the Murphy Administration’s commitment to supporting innovation and the technologies of the future in tandem with New Jersey’s world-renowned higher education institutions.”
“Once again, New Jersey is pioneering cutting-edge technologies in lockstep with one of the world’s most prestigious universities,” Murphy says in a quote. “Indeed, there’s no better place in the nation to build a nexus for AI development than in the heart of New Jersey at Princeton University, which attracts the companies of the future with its robust innovation ecosystem and unparalleled combination of location and talent. As these industry leaders seek the next big breakthrough in AI technologies from their labs in Central Jersey, they will help generate economic activity and good-paying jobs in communities across our state.”
“Princeton’s strategic framework recognizes the promise and societal implications of artificial intelligence — as well as the University’s ‘unique capacity’ to meet these challenges,” Eisgruber adds. “Working to establish this hub for AI will further our efforts in this important area, while strengthening the regional ecosystem of innovation and advancing Princeton’s teaching and research mission.”
“The initiative will bring together AI researchers, industry leaders, start-up companies, and other collaborators to advance research and development, house dedicated accelerator space, advance the use of ethical AI for positive societal impact, and promote workforce development to support new technology development, in collaboration with other New Jersey universities, community colleges, and vocational schools,” the release continues. “The initiative will also draw on New Jersey’s unique strengths in the health, sustainability, financial, and technology sectors, which have the opportunity to apply artificial intelligence technologies to advance innovative breakthroughs.”
“Today’s announcement by Governor Murphy and Princeton University President Eisgruber is an historic declaration of New Jersey’s ambition to be a leader in shaping and harnessing the power of AI to drive innovation and long term job creation,” Tim Sullivan, the CEO of the NJEDA, says in a quote. “Governor Murphy has made recapturing New Jersey’s leadership position in innovation a centerpiece of his economic strategy, and with today’s great news on the heels of last week’s recommitment to New Jersey from Bell Labs, we are seeing proof positive that the Governor’s strategy is resonating with some of the most prominent institutions in the world.”
On January 9, the NJEDA awarded an additional $250,000 for the AI hub through planning funds from its Strategic Innovation Center initiative.
According to the press release, Governor Murphy previously issued Executive Order No. 346 last October as part of his “commitment to make New Jersey a national leader in AI,” doing so by establishing an AI Task Force designed to study “emerging AI technologies” like “societal impacts” and make recommendations on the government’s role in ensuring ethical usage.
“The Executive Order also announced a nation-leading initiative to educate New Jersey’s State workforce about the development, use, and risks of AI, and directed the Administration to evaluate tools and strategies to improve government services through artificial intelligence, as well as explore ways in which artificial intelligence can stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and be deployed by employers to enhance training and talent development, especially for low-income residents,” the document continues.
Princeton University will host “a one-of-a-kind convening on AI” on Thursday, April 11, according to Eisgruber, where a group of “leaders from academia, industry, and government” will gather to engage in a productive discussion about “the most pressing AI issues of the day.”
