NSF Invests $100M in New National AI Research Institutes to Bolster U.S. Innovation and Workforce
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with Capital One and Intel, has announced a $100 million investment in five new National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes, plus a central coordination hub. The initiative aims to accelerate innovation, train an AI-ready workforce, and ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in artificial intelligence.
This effort aligns with the White House AI Action Plan and supports Executive Order 14277 to expand AI education and literacy across all communities.
NSF Director Brian Stone emphasized the initiative’s importance: “Artificial intelligence is key to strengthening our workforce and boosting U.S. competitiveness. These institutes will help turn cutting-edge research into real-world solutions.”
Highlights from the New AI Institutes:
NSF AI-Materials Institute (Cornell University)
Accelerates next-generation materials discovery using AI; partners with schools and industry to educate the future workforce in physical sciences and AI.NSF Institute for Foundations of Machine Learning (University of Texas at Austin)
Advances generative AI tools like those powering Stable Diffusion; expands into protein engineering and clinical imaging.NSF Institute for Student AI-Teaming (University of Colorado Boulder)
Enhances STEM education through AI-facilitated group learning tools; reaches thousands of middle-school students and educators.NSF Molecule Maker Lab Institute (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
Speeds drug and materials discovery using advanced AI and intelligent agents for molecular design.NSF AI Research Institute on Interaction for AI Assistants (Brown University)
Develops next-generation AI assistants focused on safety, adaptability, and personalization.NSF AI Institutes Virtual Organization (UC Davis)
Serves as a central hub for collaboration and outreach across all AI Institutes; promotes public engagement and cross-sector partnerships.
These investments are designed to broaden access to AI tools and training, bridging research with real-world applications in health, energy, manufacturing, education, and beyond.