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During a Dec. 18 event at the school, Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber and Gov. Phil Murphy announced the establishment of a new artificial intelligence hub in New Jersey spearheaded by the historic institution in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

Officials said the hub will leverage state funding and private sector partnerships to advance New Jersey’s leadership in AI while catalyzing innovation in technology and driving job growth and economic development across the region, as well as promoting rapid and responsible development in the emerging field.

The news builds on recent efforts concerning artificial intelligence here in New Jersey by the Murphy administration, which includes the establishment of an AI Task Force (via Executive Order No. 346). That group is charged with analyzing the potential societal impacts of AI as well as preparing recommendations to identify government actions encouraging its ethical use. The order also included a new initiative to educate the state’s workforce about the development, use and risks of AI, and more.

Officials say the AI Hub announced Monday will bring together different stakeholders – collaborating with other Garden State universities, community colleges and vocational schools – to advance research and development, house dedicated accelerator space, advance the use of ethical AI for positive societal impact, and promote workforce development to support the creation of new technology in the AI space. Stakeholders also stressed that this new center will leverage Princeton’s already-established leadership in AI technologies, along with its institutional strengths, while drawing on the state’s unique capacity in sectors such as health, sustainability, finance and technology.

“I am proud to be joined by Gov. Murphy to announce our plans to work together on establishing a regional innovation hub for artificial intelligence,” said Eisgruber. “That hub will bring together AI researchers, industry leaders, startup companies, and other collaborators to foster AI innovation in Central New Jersey. It will enable leading experts to come together to focus on the development and innovation of AI techniques, applications, and hardware – as well as the societal implications of AI, such as policy, education and workforce development. Together, we will leverage Princeton’s leadership in AI and the strengths of the Central New Jersey region to establish an integrated hub of AI activity.”

Eisgruber stressed that Princeton’s strong relationships with area institutions will drive collaboration, research, education and workforce development, while its central location will allow the university to serve as a convener for major stakeholders — allowing collaborators to leverage other nearby innovation hubs.

As Murphy took the podium, he touted the potential impact of this endeavor.

“I am incredibly honored to be here on what I believe we will all look back and say was a pretty momentous day for both Princeton University and the State of New Jersey,” said Murphy. “And as we approach the final days of this year, it is clear that the phrase that has defined our year – and I think could define very well the next decade or more – is artificial intelligence.”

Murphy said that with Monday’s announcement, the state, alongside Princeton, is poised to shape the future of this revolutionary field and unleash a new century of game-changing discovery.

“And I think it is only fitting that we gather here today for this announcement in the Chancellor Green Library,” said Murphy. “For the past 150 years, this library has been a home for intellectual excellence and academic exploration on Princeton University’s campus. And that is a proud tradition that we will carry forward by working to establish an innovation hub for artificial intelligence – a new home for the world’s boldest and brightest to pioneer breakthroughs for the betterment of humankind.”

No longer pure imagination

The governor said he believes there is no better place to be an AI leader than the great Garden State – noting New Jersey’s storied history and legacy of innovation as well as its combination of talent, location and a thriving innovation ecosystem. He also pointed to those aforementioned efforts by his administration to lean into the subject and become a leader in AI — especially given the broad and limitless possibility it offers.

“Beyond the enormous economic potential for this space – in the form of new venture or jobs for our workers – we have an opportunity to transform the way we live for the better,” Murphy explained. “And that is why an institution like Princeton University, an institution that exists – as you all know better than I, in the nation’s service and the service of humanity – is an ideal hub for AI. This hub will aim to bring us together to explore the possibilities of this technology – not for the benefit of a small group of stakeholders, but for everyone’s benefit – especially for our families who have been struggling to get by for so long.”

President Eisgruber and I are proud to announce the establishment of an artificial intelligence (AI) hub at @PrincetonU – bringing together researchers, industry leaders, & startups to advance New Jersey's leadership in AI, drive job growth, and catalyze innovation. pic.twitter.com/jHEyuinjOD

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) December 18, 2023

Murphy said that the hub offers the potential to pioneer technologies that could unlock new cures for debilitating disease, new solutions for combatting climate change, new methods for educating children, and more.

He also nodded to CoreWeave, a multibillion-dollar industry-leader in AI infrastructure that was started out of a garage in suburban New Jersey, saying if that could be done, imagine what could be achieved with this type of partnership spearheaded by Princeton’s institutional and reputational might.

“With AI, we have a chance to confront and, perhaps, overcome some of the greatest challenges facing our world,” said Murphy, who offered more examples of jaw-dropping AI advancements already being made in these early stages of the game. “Given all that we have been through in the past few years, it begs the question of how far and how fast can we all go – if we equip New Jersey’s best and brightest with the latest achievements in AI. Well, soon, with this AI Hub, you won’t have to imagine much longer.”

‘Corridor of Innovation’

As he closed out his remarks, Murphy said that the Garden State is poised to lead this technological revolution – pointing to Nokia Bell Labs’ recent decision to relocate to a new facility at the HELIX in New Brunswick.

“Now more than ever, Route 1 will be the ‘Corridor of Innovation’ – one that connects the students and researchers here at Princeton, with the researchers and entrepreneurs who will pioneer new discoveries in the HELIX,” said Murphy. “In other words, buckle up, because with the help of everyone here today – New Jersey is going to be at the forefront of the revolution. And we are going to create a new generation of opportunities for our workers, our academic institutions, and our families in the process.”

New Jersey Office of Innovation Chief Innovation Officer Beth Noveck spoke after the governor, adding to his sentiments and excitement.

“I really want to echo everybody’s pleasure in being here to celebrate this tremendous accomplishment and to look ahead to what we can accomplish going forward,” said Noveck. “AI, as you know, offers a powerful set of tools for processing data that allows now to change how we work and to address some of our most urgent and compelling opportunities to improve health, to improve education, and to deepen our democracy.”

Noveck said that it is not just artificial intelligence that matters – it is collective intelligence.

“It’s the collective smarts and talent of the people here in the great State of New Jersey and here at Princeton and in our academic institutions around the state,” Noveck explained. “When we bring them together, that human ingenuity combined with artificial intelligence – there’s really no limit to what we can do.”

She pointed to those efforts being undertaken by the state government to use AI to responsibly deliver services, benefits and tools for New Jerseyans to improve their lives and businesses.

“We greatly look forward to partnering with Princeton and working with people here at the new AI Hub to apply the learnings that are being developed here now and will be developed in the future for improving the work that we do in the State of New Jersey to serve all residents better, to tackle some of those tremendous challenges that we are facing, and to, again, combine our collective intelligence with our artificial intelligence to solve our hardest problems,” Noveck closed.

Leading the way

NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan stressed that recapturing New Jersey’s leadership position in innovation and entrepreneurship have been at the center of the governor’s economic strategy and agenda.

“And I think an announcement like we are making today – no clearer and surer sign that that is working,” said Sullivan. “That there is response from some of the most prominent institutions anywhere in the world, like Princeton, to that message of how we can recapture New Jersey’s leadership position.”

In quoting former President Bill Clinton during his first inaugural address regarding the dawn of the digital age, Sullivan emphasized the need to make the current technological changes our friend and harness its power for good.

“And to make sure we are addressing any of the things that are not our friend,” said Sullivan. “And to make sure we are doing so in a way that builds equity and inclusion and thinks about workers’ rights and training into our architecture of how we are thinking about an AI strategy for the state. But also, to most importantly, to capture the enormous job creation potential that this technology and this revolution represents.”

Sullivan continued that the announcement was a bold declaration that New Jersey and Princeton intend to lead the charge on doing this right – not just building an economic hub, but a category-leading innovation hub in AI.

As he calls this announcement a "watershed moment," @NewJerseyEDA CEO @timsullivan510 says that it shows "New Jersey intends to lead the pack, and lead this revolution, and not follow it … As the tiger roars here, the world is going to take notice." pic.twitter.com/TSKmsFTO0S

— Princeton University (@Princeton) December 18, 2023

“And I think the future that that sets in motion is unwritten, is untold,” Sullivan explained. “We don’t know. It’s the nature of innovation. It’s the nature of discovery. Anyone who knows exactly how this is going to play out – I would discount those opinions pretty heavily.”

The NJEDA leader said that this represents one of those rare, net new opportunities to capture and grow jobs – pointing to other emerging areas such as clean energy, film and television production, and others.

And he says this opportunity offers a chance to deepen engagement between higher education and the economy.

“If you look all around the world, all around the country, the most successful innovation ecosystems have incredibly strong and close partnerships between big companies, small companies, venture capital,” he continued. “But the indispensable ingredient is higher ed. It is research. It is ideas.”

“When you think about an institution of the caliber, reputation, and the intellectual horsepower that a Princeton brings to the table, I think it sets us up incredibly well for a future that is bolder, that creates lots of good, family-sustaining jobs for our kids and our grandkids,” said Sullivan. “And that sets New Jersey up well to recapture that leadership position in innovation and entrepreneurship.

“Today is a pretty bold and historic declaration that New Jersey intends to lead the pack and intends to lead this revolution – and not follow,” Sullivan continued. “And I think that’s exactly how we should be approaching it.”

Sullivan closed out his remarks by noting that when an institution like Princeton steps up in this kind of way the world takes notice.

“So, as the tiger roars here, I think the world is going to take notice – and notice that New Jersey is here and playing – and playing to win in AI,” Sullivan said.

Officials also announced plans for an inaugural conference co-hosted by the state and Princeton at the university on April 11 that will bring together leaders from academia, industry and government to discuss all things AI.

Eisgruber closed out the program by thanking all of the stakeholders for coming together on this initiative.

“For allowing Princeton University today to be in the service of the nation, in the service of humanity, and in the service of the great State of New Jersey,” said Eisgruber. “This is a partnership that’s going to make a difference.”