$50 million for AI: How OpenAI is creating the future of science and education

OpenAI has launched the NextGenAI consortium, a group of 15 leading research institutions to accelerate scientific discovery and transform education using artificial intelligence. As part of the initiative, OpenAI is providing $50 million in research grants, computing resources, and access to its APIs. The goal of the project is to provide researchers, educators, and students with the tools they need to work with AI to accelerate progress in science and prepare the next generation of professionals.

“The field of AI would not be where it is today without decades of work in the academic community. Continued collaboration is essential to creating AI that benefits everyone. NextGenAI will accelerate research progress and catalyze a new generation of institutions equipped to harness the transformative power of AI.”

Brad Lightcup, Chief Operating Officer, OpenAI

The consortium brings together institutions such as Harvard University, Oxford University, MIT, Caltech, and others. Members are already using AI to solve complex problems. For example, Harvard and Boston Children’s Hospital are using AI to speed up the diagnosis of rare diseases, and Oxford is digitizing rare texts, making them available to researchers around the world.

NextGenAI is also focusing on education. Texas A&M University is developing programs to teach responsible use of AI, and Howard University is developing new courses to prepare students for the future. MIT is giving students access to OpenAI APIs to build their own AI models. The initiative strengthens the connection between academia and industry, bringing AI to the lab, library, and classroom.