Georgia State University has announced $6 million in funding from Google to establish the AI Innovation Lab. The initiative is designed to expand access to computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) education for more students in the local community.
Through this partnership, Georgia State will implement an after-school AI and machine learning (ML) education program that recruits high school students from public schools in metro Atlanta to participate in a daily curriculum focused on AI/ML literacy, problem-solving, design-thinking and mentorship. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to accessibility, innovation and social mobility.
Georgia State undergraduate and graduate students will serve as instructors and mentors, gaining valuable experience in computer science education and instructional design. Google volunteers will also support learning in the lab. This dual approach empowers high school students with foundational AI skills while preparing future educators to embed similar training in classrooms across Georgia.
Georgia State’s position as an R1 research university located in downtown Atlanta uniquely positions it to scale. With its proximity to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits and educational partners, Georgia State is a catalyst for workforce development and economic impact in Georgia.
“This collaboration with Google reflects what Georgia State does best — using innovation to expand opportunity,” said Georgia State University President M. Brian Blake. “Together, we’re preparing the next generation of thinkers and leaders who will shape Georgia’s — and our nation’s — future in the digital economy.”
The collaboration demonstrates Georgia State’s commitment to expanding access to education and ensuring students from all backgrounds can participate in the state’s growing tech economy.
“At Georgia State, we believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” said L. Jared Abramson, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Georgia State. “This collaboration with Google allows us to change that — to connect students in Atlanta’s public schools to the world of technology while preparing our own students to teach and lead in that space. We’re building pathways into the innovation economy that will have an impact far beyond our campus.”
By combining Georgia State’s scale and academic infrastructure with Google’s leadership in technology, the collaboration aims to increase college readiness, improve career outcomes and strengthen Georgia’s AI and tech workforce for years to come.
“Google has proudly called Georgia home for more than two decades with an office in Atlanta and a data center in Douglas County,” said Google Cloud Chief Product Supply Officer Monique Picou (B.A. ’08). “We are committed to helping students and educators across the state access essential AI and digital skills training to succeed in the workforce and advance their economic opportunities. We are proud to collaborate with Georgia State University to ensure the opportunities created by technology are available to everyone in the state.”
The GSU AI Innovation Lab builds on the university’s national reputation for innovation and student success. Georgia State has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as among the country’s top five most innovative public universities for 11 consecutive years.
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