OpenAI has introduced NextGenAI, a new consortium aimed at advancing AI-assisted research at leading global universities. With USD 50 million in research grants, compute funding, and API access, the initiative is designed to support students, educators, and researchers working with artificial intelligence.
NextGenAI is being launched in partnership with 15 founding academic institutions, including Harvard University, the University of Oxford, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Duke University. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the project on X, expressing excitement about its potential to drive forward research and education through AI.
The funding will be distributed over the coming months, with grants available to researchers working on AI-related projects. OpenAI stated in a blog post that the initiative is intended to ‘fuel the next generation of discoveries’ while equipping students and scholars with AI knowledge to shape the technology’s future. The consortium aims to support various research areas, from scientific breakthroughs to new academic insights and AI education.
This initiative follows the launch of ChatGPT Edu for universities in May 2024 and comes at a time of uncertainty regarding AI research funding in the United States. OpenAI’s Chief Operating Officer, Brad Lightcap, highlighted that NextGenAI would "accelerate research progress" and assist institutions in leveraging AI's transformative potential.
The company has stated that it may expand the initiative in the future, depending on its impact. While the program initially targets select institutions, OpenAI has hinted at further collaboration and investment in academic AI research down the line.
