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Google exec and Tel Aviv University researchers stand beside an AI server rack, pointing at a whiteboard labeled ‘Gemma’.

Editorial illustration for Google Boosts AI Research with Tel Aviv University Partnership and Gemma Infrastructure

Google Boosts AI Research with Tel Aviv University Deal

Google expands AI partnership with Tel Aviv University, infrastructure for Gemma

Updated: 3 min read

Google is deepening its academic AI research connections with a strategic new partnership at Tel Aviv University. The tech giant is expanding its collaborative infrastructure to support modern artificial intelligence research, with a specific focus on providing researchers direct access to advanced computational resources.

This latest move signals Google's commitment to nurturing emerging AI talent and supporting ambitious research projects. By establishing a strong infrastructure around its open models like Gemma, the company aims to give researchers unusual computational capabilities.

The partnership goes beyond traditional academic collaborations. It represents a targeted effort to empower the next generation of AI researchers with powerful tools and direct access to modern machine learning technologies.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University will now have an unusual opportunity to explore and test Google's latest open models. The infrastructure promises to remove significant technical barriers that have historically limited academic AI research.

We hope this infrastructure will help ensure that researchers can tackle the most ambitious, resource-intensive projects and explore the capabilities of Google's latest open models, such as Gemma, directly within their research. Empowering the next generation of AI researchers We are actively supporting the TAU research community through the integration of specialized AI and Data Science courses across traditionally non-computational fields--from Law and Humanities to Life Sciences--equipping students with advanced tools to tackle complex research questions in ways previously impossible. This effort supports the expansion of critical early education initiatives, like the BITS of AI program, designed to cultivate the next generation of AI researchers.

The funding from this collaboration will directly support PhD students, through scholarships and travel awards to help researchers present their findings globally. Additionally, this year we were able to award fellowships to two PhD students at TAU through our Google PhD Fellowship program. And to further expand students' access to Google AI tools, we are also offering students in Israeli universities one year of a Google AI Pro plan for free.

Advancing AI research through collaboration The partnership between Google and Tel Aviv University is based on a shared belief that the biggest challenges can only be solved when we work together. By combining TAU's academic excellence and pioneering spirit with Google's groundbreaking engineering and AI research capabilities, we can help accelerate the next wave of scientific breakthroughs.

Google's strategic partnership with Tel Aviv University signals a nuanced approach to AI research and education. The collaboration goes beyond traditional tech boundaries, integrating specialized AI courses across disciplines like Law, Humanities, and Life Sciences.

By providing infrastructure for Gemma, Google is creating direct pathways for researchers to explore complex, resource-intensive AI projects. The initiative seems focused on empowering emerging talent through practical, hands-on access to modern models.

This partnership suggests a broader vision of AI development that isn't confined to computer science departments. Researchers from diverse academic backgrounds will now have opportunities to engage with advanced AI technologies, potentially sparking new cross-disciplinary research.

The infrastructure investment indicates Google's commitment to supporting academic exploration. By making Gemma accessible within university settings, the company is positioning itself as a collaborative force in AI education and research.

Still, the full impact remains to be seen. Google is betting on academic partnerships as a key strategy for nurturing the next generation of AI talent.

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Common Questions Answered

How is Google supporting AI research infrastructure at Tel Aviv University?

Google is providing advanced computational resources and direct access to its latest open models like Gemma to researchers at Tel Aviv University. The partnership aims to enable researchers to tackle ambitious, resource-intensive AI projects across multiple disciplines.

What unique approach is Google taking with AI education at Tel Aviv University?

Google is integrating specialized AI and Data Science courses across non-traditional computational fields, including Law, Humanities, and Life Sciences. This approach aims to equip students with AI skills and broaden the understanding of artificial intelligence beyond typical tech boundaries.

What is the significance of the Gemma infrastructure in this partnership?

The Gemma infrastructure allows researchers direct access to Google's open AI models for exploring complex research projects. By providing these computational resources, Google is creating pathways for emerging AI talent to conduct advanced research across various academic disciplines.