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Today, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber unveiled plans for a new AI hub. This initiative, in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), aims to unite AI researchers, industry leaders, and startups. They intend to boost research and development, create dedicated accelerator spaces, promote the ethical use of AI, and provide AI skills training for over 61,000 state employees.
Governor Murphy, who has been in office since 2018, expressed his excitement for the project. He believes the initiative is comparable to the iconic idea from the movie “Field of Dreams”: “if you build it, they will come.”
Princeton’s new AI hub comes at a crucial time. Recently, New Jersey launched its State Artificial Intelligence Task Force and a policy promoting the responsible use of AI by state employees. Murphy described this as a “three-legged stool” approach, focusing on economic development, regulatory responsibility of AI, and training the state workforce to deliver better government services.
President Eisgruber remarked that this AI hub is essential for positioning New Jersey as a leader in AI jobs and research. Princeton had already been investing in AI, and this new initiative will boost those efforts. For instance, Princeton recently introduced the Language and Intelligence Initiative (PLI) focusing on large language models, led by Sanjeev Arora, a computer science professor specializing in theoretical computer science and machine learning.
Princeton’s history in AI research is rich, featuring notable alumni like Alan Turing and Fei-Fei Li. The AI hub aims to build on this legacy and make New Jersey a recognized leader in the field.
Focusing on AI talent, the current AI boom is concentrated in areas like California’s Bay Area. Governor Murphy recalled a dinner where AI industry leaders emphasized that the talent pool, rather than incentives or infrastructure, was the key reason for their location choices. Murphy believes New Jersey has comparable talent, especially with Princeton leading the way.
Princeton has also been active in public-private AI partnerships, including its Google AI Lab launched in 2019. President Eisgruber is enthusiastic about collaborating within New Jersey’s strong healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
Governor Murphy mentioned that the hub’s plans will remain adaptable but stressed the importance of keeping pace with rapid AI developments.
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