By Scout Nelson
Google has announced a $250,000 donation to the University of Nebraska Foundation to boost artificial intelligence (AI) research and education across the university system. This announcement was made during an event at the Nebraska Innovation Campus at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
The funding aims to enable faculty and students to engage with advanced AI technologies, positioning the university as a leader in this transformative field. Alongside this gift, Google revealed plans to invest $930 million in Nebraska’s infrastructure. These investments will support the expansion of data center campuses in Lincoln, Papillion, and Omaha, contributing to the growing demand for Google Cloud services, AI developments, and other digital innovations.
“The University of Nebraska is proud to celebrate with Google as they make a transformative investment in our state and in our future,” said University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “Their generous gift to the university underscores our shared commitment to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to ensure we remain at the forefront of research, teaching, and public engagement.”
This funding aligns with the university’s increased focus on AI advancements. Recently, it introduced a new undergraduate degree in generative AI, developed in collaboration with the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Across its four campuses, the university is building AI-related programs and utilizing emerging technologies to drive innovation in teaching and research. A university-wide AI task force is also exploring collaborative opportunities in various fields, such as IT, medicine, agriculture, and engineering.
“The University of Nebraska’s work in AI, including the work that will be possible because of this investment, is critical to our vision for the future,” said Gold. “As we strive to be an exceptional university system, we must also strive to be a trailblazer in understanding, using and advancing new technologies including AI.”
Google’s support highlights Nebraska’s growing prominence as a hub for technological and educational advancements, ensuring the university remains at the forefront of AI innovation.
Photo Credit: pexels-karolina-grabowska
Categories: Nebraska, Education