- Google increases support for INSAIT in Sofia, Bulgaria, with a $2 million investment.
- The investment includes $1 million in cloud computing resources, including access to Google Cloud’s TPUs.
- An additional $1 million is allocated for eight doctoral scholarships under the Google-INSAIT cooperation initiative.
- Google’s initial support for INSAIT began in 2022 with a $3 million donation for compute resources and scholarships.
- INSAIT aims to cultivate a top-tier research environment, attracting and nurturing talent to foster Bulgaria’s high-tech economy.
Main AI News:
This week, Google announced a significant expansion of its support for the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) in Sofia, Bulgaria. With a new investment exceeding $2 million, Google reaffirms its commitment to nurturing AI research and talent development in Central and Eastern Europe.
The investment comprises two main components:
- Cloud Computing Resources: Google will provide INSAIT with over $1 million in cloud computing resources, including access to Google Cloud’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). These state-of-the-art processors are tailor-made for machine learning tasks, enabling INSAIT researchers to construct foundational models and embark on pioneering AI research endeavors.
- Doctoral Scholarships: The remaining $1 million will be allocated towards funding eight doctoral scholarships as part of the Google-INSAIT cooperation initiative. This program aims to attract and support the brightest minds in the region, nurturing a new cohort of AI experts.
This latest investment builds upon Google’s initial backing of INSAIT, which commenced with a $3 million donation in 2022. The previous support encompassed compute resources and scholarships for talented students, with Google researchers also engaging in mentorship roles for INSAIT’s doctoral candidates.
Supporting INSAIT’s Mission
Google perceives Central and Eastern Europe as possessing vast untapped potential in AI. Despite being home to a plethora of talent, the region remains underrepresented in AI research. Through investments in institutions like INSAIT, Google aims to address this disparity.
Since its inception in 2022, INSAIT has emerged as a premier research hub in the region. Its overarching objective is to cultivate a world-class research environment capable of attracting, nurturing, and retaining top-tier talent, thereby fostering a robust high-tech economy in Bulgaria. Professor Martin Vechev, Founder and Scientific Director of INSAIT, asserts that this latest support underscores the institution’s trajectory towards achieving its goals.
Together, Google and INSAIT are paving the way for a brighter future in AI — one characterized by inclusivity, innovation, and tangible impact for all stakeholders involved.
Conclusion:
Google’s expanded support for INSAIT signifies a strategic investment in fostering AI research and talent development in Central and Eastern Europe. By providing substantial resources and scholarships, Google aims to address the region’s underrepresentation in AI research while contributing to the growth of Bulgaria’s high-tech sector. This move not only benefits the development of AI technologies but also enhances the region’s competitiveness in the global tech landscape.
