MIT Announces UNPRECEDENTED $1B Commitment to New College of Computing and AI

It’s no secret, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the educational facilities shaping science today. The announcement came from the MIT about $1B commitment “to address the global opportunities and challenges presented by the prevalence of computing and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).” The Typical Student team looked into the initiative.

Who Made $350M Foundation Gift?

Source: qz.com

This unprecedented donation marks if not the largest investment in AI and computing made by a US college. At that, experts believe, this step will help position the United States among the leading countries that contribute to the rapid evolution of computing and AI.  

Mr. Schwarzman, the chairman, CEO and co-founder of Blackstone, made the $350M foundational gift  So, the new MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing is named after him.

When Will MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing Open?

The College is named “an interdisciplinary hub for work in computer science, AI, data science, and related fields” is to open in September 2019. Also, a new building is being constructed and is scheduled to be completed in 2022.

In total, 50 new positions will be created: 25 of them to advance computing in the College, and other 25 will be appointed jointly in the College and other MIT departments. Also, a new dean will be appointed for the College.

The ultimate goal is to create a shared structure for collaborative education and facilitate research across MIT’s five schools. And, to provide education to students in every discipline to responsibly use and develop AI and computing technologies to help make a better world.