UH Hilo joins $152M AI initiative with NVIDIA, Ai2, and NSF

UH Hilo Receives $1.4 Million for National AI Research Project

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo has been awarded over $1.4 million to participate in a major national initiative aimed at developing powerful artificial intelligence (AI) tools for scientific research. This project, which totals $152 million, is led by the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Ai2), with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NVIDIA.

The goal of the initiative is to create the first fully open set of advanced AI models that will accelerate scientific progress across the United States. Ai2 will allocate $75 million from NSF and $77 million from NVIDIA to develop these tools. UH Hilo will play a key role in this effort by helping adapt the AI models for research and engaging communities in their application.

A New Era for AI Integration at UH Hilo

Dr. Travis Mandel, an associate professor of computer science and coordinator of the Data Science program at UH Hilo, expressed his excitement about the opportunity. “We have some amazing faculty members that work here who are doing great scientific work,” he said. “To see those individuals be able to start integrating these state-of-the-art AI systems into what they’re doing is really going to propel the institution forward.”

Dr. Mandel will co-lead parts of the project focused on how scientists can use the AI tools. “This award presents an incredible opportunity to bring world-class AI expertise to UH Hilo and help our students better understand the technical details of how these large AI systems work,” he added.

Hands-On Experience for Students

Students in UH Hilo’s Data Science program will gain valuable hands-on experience with these AI systems. They will study how well the AI meets the needs of local scientists or implement improved training methods to provide better assistance with complex scientific tasks.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students,” Dr. Mandel said. “It will definitely enhance our programs, especially data science, but also computer science, as we offer more cutting-edge work in AI to our students.”

The project will also provide students with opportunities to work on summer internships and year-round research projects. “That means that the students here, the faculty here, they’re all going to be contributing to this exciting project,” he said.

Expanding the Impact of AI

UH Hilo students will help build and test AI models that could change how scientists study materials, the environment, and climate. They will also learn from leading AI researchers and support local scientists in applying AI to marine and environmental studies.

One of the goals of the project is to make AI more open and transparent. “Right now, society is struggling with understanding how AI works,” Dr. Mandel explained. “Everyone is starting to use AI to help them with assignments, projects, and work. Making AI more accessible and understandable is crucial.”

Commitment to Innovation and Education

UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin praised the university’s involvement in the project. “We are honored to work alongside Ai2 and the other partners on this groundbreaking initiative. This award reflects our university’s growing strength in data science education and our commitment to advancing Hawaiʻi’s role in the nation’s technological future.”

The university offers the first Bachelor of Science in Data Science in the UH System and a data science certificate. In the program, students learn to collect, process, and study data using tools like AI, machine learning, and programming.

Looking Ahead

With this new funding, UH Hilo is poised to become a leader in AI research and education. The collaboration with Ai2 and other partners will not only benefit students and faculty but also contribute to broader scientific advancements. As AI continues to shape the future of research and technology, UH Hilo is taking a significant step forward in preparing the next generation of scientists and data experts.