Google expands AI partnership with Tel Aviv University, infrastructure for Gemma
Google is expanding its AI research tie-up with Tel Aviv University by rolling out a dedicated computing environment aimed at the most demanding experiments. The new setup follows the partnership first announced under the banner “Deepening our AI research partnership with Tel Aviv University.” We don’t have the exact technical specs, but the plan is to connect the university’s labs directly to Google’s latest open-source model, Gemma. Historically, getting access to that kind of hardware has been a real bottleneck for academic teams that want to push large-scale machine learning.
By putting the machines on campus, Google seems to be trying to lower the barrier and give scholars a place to test ideas without waiting for cloud credits. In practice, researchers could run heavy workloads locally instead of queuing on external clouds. It’s still unclear how quickly the system will scale, but the hope is that the new environment will let Tel Aviv University experiment more freely and maybe speed up a few projects.
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 is widening its tie-up with Tel Aviv University by putting a dedicated infrastructure in place for the open-source Gemma model. That builds on a 2020 deal that already gave us AI for Social Good in 2021 and AI for Sustainability and Education in 2023. Now researchers at TAU’s Center for AI and Data Science will get direct access to the newest models, the announcement says.
I wonder whether those resources will turn into real-world results or stay mostly experimental. The university says the platform should let scholars chase big, resource-heavy projects, but it’s hard to tell if the promised power will show up at scale. Google talks about helping the next generation of AI researchers, yet the specifics on how they’ll be supported are thin.
Past work has leaned toward multidisciplinary projects that benefit society, so this extension feels in line with that track. Still, without clear metrics or a timeline, judging the impact is tricky. In the end, the partnership’s staying power and any concrete outcomes will decide if the new infrastructure lives up to its goals.
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Common Questions Answered
What dedicated computing environment has Google introduced for Tel Aviv University to support the Gemma model?
Google has rolled out a dedicated computing environment that provides Tel Aviv University researchers with direct access to its newest open‑source model, Gemma. The infrastructure is designed to handle the most demanding, resource‑intensive AI experiments, though specific technical specifications have not been disclosed.
How does the expanded AI partnership build on the earlier collaborations between Google and Tel Aviv University?
The new partnership extends a collaboration formalized in 2020, which previously produced AI for Social Good in 2021 and AI for Sustainability and Education in 2023. By adding dedicated Gemma infrastructure, Google aims to deepen the research ties and accelerate joint projects across multiple domains.
Which non‑computational academic fields at Tel Aviv University are slated to receive specialized AI and Data Science courses under this partnership?
Google and TAU are integrating specialized AI and Data Science curricula into traditionally non‑computational disciplines such as Law, Humanities, and Life Sciences. These courses are intended to empower students and faculty in those areas to apply advanced AI techniques to their research.
What outcomes does Google expect from giving TAU’s Center for AI and Data Science direct access to the Gemma model?
Google expects that direct access to Gemma will enable TAU researchers to tackle ambitious, resource‑intensive projects and explore the model’s capabilities within their own labs. The goal is to empower the next generation of AI researchers and translate experimental work into measurable scientific and societal impacts.