Google.org invests $20 million in AI-focused grants for think tanks and academic institutions - a revolution in the making!

Google launches Digital Futures project to support AI research

Ahead of Congress' AI-focused private meeting with tech giants, Google this morning announced a new initiative to support researchers and public policy solutions around AI with the launch of the Digital Futures project. As part of this effort, Google.org, Google's charitable arm, is setting up a $20 million fund that will award grants to think tanks and academic institutions developing AI expertise.

Project objectives

The tech giant aims to fund independent thinkers who study topics such as the impact of AI on global security or how it can be used to improve the safety of institutions and businesses. It is also interested in the impact of AI on work and the transition of the workforce to AI jobs in the future. Google is also keen to explore how governments can use AI to boost productivity and economic growth, as well as the best governance structures and cross-sector efforts that can foster responsible AI innovation.

Fund beneficiaries

Early beneficiaries of the Digital Futures Fund include the Aspen Institute, Brookings Institution, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Center for a New American Security, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Institute for Security and Technology, Leadership Conference Education Fund, MIT Work of the Future, R Street Institute and SeedAI.

Worldwide support

Google specifies that the fund will support organizations worldwide, not just in the USA. Further details will be announced shortly.

Growing interest in responsible AI

Responsible AI is attracting growing interest as AI advances accelerate. This year, four of the major AI players, including OpenAI, Microsoft, Anthropic and Google, announced the creation of a new industry body, the Frontier Model Forum, with the aim of ensuring the "safe and responsible" development of AI models. President Biden also met with seven AI companies at the White House to agree voluntary safeguards. In Europe, progress has also been made towards agreement on AI regulation.

Google's role

Google published its own AI principles in 2018 and continues to publish research in this field. However, the company has become cautious about developing and disseminating AI technologies, leading to the departure of researchers and allowing Microsoft and OpenAI to take the lead with ChatGPT and a partnership integrating OpenAI technologies into Bing and other Microsoft products.

Collaboration as a priority

Today, Google said that success in AI will require more than just one company. "We hope that the Digital Futures project and this fund will support many others in academia and civil society to advance independent AI research so that this transformational technology benefits everyone," said Gosselink.