NVIDIA’s $30M Contribution Boosts NAIRR Pilot Program with Tech

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has taken a significant step forward in establishing a shared national research infrastructure with the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot program. Backed by nVidia and announced in partnership with 10 federal agencies, as well as private-sector, nonprofit, and philanthropic organizations, the initiative aims to expand access to the tools necessary for responsible AI exploration and innovation.

NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “The breadth of partners that have come together for this pilot underscores the urgency of developing a National AI Research Resource for the future of AI in America.” By investing in AI research through the NAIRR pilot, the United States is not only fostering discovery and impact but also strengthening its global competitiveness.

NVIDIA’s commitment of $30 million in technology contributions over two years plays a crucial role in scaling up the pilot program, enabling broader achievements and accelerating progress toward full-scale implementation. “The NAIRR is a vision of a national research infrastructure that will provide access to computing, data, models, and software to empower researchers and communities,” said Katie Antypas, director of the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure at the NSF. The primary goals of the NAIRR pilot include supporting fundamental AI research, facilitating domain-specific research utilizing AI, reaching underserved communities, and refining the design for the future full NAIRR.

NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang highlighted the significance of AI and the need for widespread access to its transformative capabilities. “AI is increasingly defining our era, and its potential can best be fulfilled with broad access to its transformative capabilities,” Huang stated. The NAIRR pilot relies on partnerships as its foundation, bringing together government agencies, industry leaders, nonprofits, and philanthropies. Tess DeBlanc-Knowles, NSF’s special assistant to the director for artificial intelligence, commended the diverse range of partners involved, emphasizing the collective effort in advancing AI and trustworthy AI initiatives.

In addition to supporting research centers, NVIDIA aims to enhance educational and workforce training programs, promoting AI literacy and skill development across the scientific community. By leveraging insights from researchers utilizing its platform, NVIDIA can refine and improve the effectiveness of its technology for scientific applications, further advancing AI capabilities.

The NAIRR pilot is a collaborative effort among various government entities, demonstrating a unified approach to advancing AI research. Partners include the U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, U.S. Patent and Trade Office, and the U.S. Department of Defense. Building on the United States’ history of leading large-scale scientific endeavors, such as the creation of the internet, the NAIRR pilot positions the country at the forefront of global AI advancements.

The launch of the NAIRR pilot aligns with President Biden’s Executive Order 14110, signed in October 2023, which directed the NSF to initiate the pilot within 90 days. The pilot program will provide U.S.-based researchers and educators with access to advanced computing resources, datasets, models, software, training, and user support. Antypas emphasized the importance of reaching smaller institutions, rural institutions, and institutions serving underrepresented populations that may lack the resources to develop their own computing or data infrastructure.

As the pilot program accelerates the proof of concept, future investments in the NAIRR will democratize access to AI innovation and support critical work in developing trustworthy AI. Initially, the pilot will focus on AI research for safe, secure, and trustworthy AI, as well as its application in healthcare, environmental science, and infrastructure sustainability. Researchers can apply for initial access to NAIRR pilot resources through the NSF, and the program welcomes additional private-sector and nonprofit partners. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the NSF at [email protected].

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