Notables including Microsoft president Brad Smith ’81, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, and University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 officially cut the ribbon on the New Jersey AI Hub on Thursday, March 27.
The AI Hub was initially announced in December 2023 as a partnership between the University and the state, before Microsoft and CoreWeave were officially revealed as additional founding partners in January. The project aims to develop generative AI innovation in New Jersey and reinvigorate the state’s industrial goals.
“The NJ AI Hub provides an extraordinary opportunity to advance our teaching and research mission and to pursue two of the University’s highest strategic priorities: advancing AI innovation and research; and cultivating a thriving regional ecosystem,” Eisgruber said.
He also highlighted the University’s planned inclusion of other universities in the hub.
“I’m especially pleased that the hub’s activities will attract and leverage talent from New Jersey’s outstanding colleges and universities for Princeton,” he added.
The AI Hub has promised much in the 18 months since its inception, although key personnel are still yet to be determined. The University and the other founders are currently looking for an executive director, and other hiring will progress when the corporate partners move into the newly opened physical space.
Vice President and Secretary of the University Hilary Parker ’01 described the hub’s lofty goals.
“The establishment of this hub could have a transformative impact on our region,” she said. “Cultivating a thriving regional ecosystem is among the University’s highest strategic priorities.”
Smith added to this sentiment, saying, “It’s not only going to build on this great innovation and the academic research at places like Princeton and Rutgers, but I think it will create new opportunities for people across New Jersey.”
“This public-private partnership will support and drive economic opportunity for the state and greater region for decades to come,” Smith explained in a post on X following the event.
In addition to CoreWeave, Smith said that Microsoft will be bringing their TechSpark program to help the AI Hub with “workforce development.” TechSpark currently has 12 other locations across the country.
Corey Sanders ’04, Senior Vice President of Strategy for CoreWeave and visiting lecturer in the computer science department at the University, said the AI Hub will offer opportunities to startup companies and entrepreneurs.
“New Jersey’s AI hub will accelerate the career journeys for so many promising stars in the state who are looking for that opportunity to develop their technical skills and build upon those technical, innovative ideas, and collectively, we in this room are letting them know they can do it right here in the state,” he said. Sanders previously told The Daily Princetonian that he is hoping to offer a collection of internships to University students this summer.
Following the remarks, the speakers, joined by Senior Director of TechSpark Mike Egan and University Provost Jennifer Rexford, cut the ribbon. Attendees were then offered a tour of the 6,600 square-foot space, located close to Route One and about a half-hour walk from campus.
Smith praised the project, which was announced in December 2023, as operating on a speedy timeline.
“I don’t know that there’s been this fast action since George Washington crossed the Delaware and managed to win two battles in Trenton and Princeton, in a single week,” he said.
Luke Grippo is a senior News writer and Features contributor for the ‘Prince.’ He is from South Jersey and usually covers administrative issues, including Undergraduate Student Government, the Council of the Princeton University Community, and institutional legacy.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Correction: This piece has been updated to reflect a misquotation of Hilary Parker. The ‘Prince’ regrets this error.
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