TLDR: Wichita State University, a founding member of the AI Institute for Foundations of Machine Learning (IFML), has received a renewed $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation, in partnership with Capital One and Intel. This funding, part of a larger $100 million investment in AI research, will support the development of open-sourced generative AI and workforce development over the next five years. Dr. Kaushik Sinha will lead WSU’s $1.27 million share of the grant.
Wichita State University (WSU) has announced its receipt of a renewed $20 million grant, a significant investment in the advancement of generative artificial intelligence (AI) research and development. This funding is part of a larger $100 million initiative by the National Science Foundation (NSF), in collaboration with industry partners Capital One and Intel, distributed among six institutes comprising over 30 institutions. Notably, WSU stands as the sole Kansas university to be awarded a portion of this grant.
As a founding member of the AI Institute for Foundations of Machine Learning (IFML), which is spearheaded by the University of Texas at Austin, Wichita State will collaborate with other leading research universities across the nation. The $20 million grant will be allocated to the IFML institutions over the next five years, with a primary focus on supporting the development of more advanced, open-sourced generative AI. This open-source approach is intended to facilitate broader adoption and foster innovation across a diverse range of fields.
Dr. Kaushik Sinha, an associate professor of computing in WSU’s College of Engineering, has been designated as the principal investigator for Wichita State’s share of the grant, amounting to $1.27 million. This funding will be instrumental in continuing Dr. Sinha’s ongoing research and will also be utilized to support graduate students and bolster workforce development initiatives in the burgeoning field of AI.
Senator Jerry Moran commented on the significance of this investment, stating, “This investment highlights the significant capabilities of Wichita State University and will bolster the artificial intelligence research being conducted at WSU and support workforce development efforts in this emerging field.” He further emphasized the transformative impact of AI, adding, “AI is rapidly reshaping our economy and national defense, and research institutions like WSU are working to make certain the U.S. remains a leader in developing solutions to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Congratulations to WSU on this well-deserved recognition.”
Pierre Harter, associate vice president of research and industry engagement at WSU, underscored the university’s commitment, remarking, “Wichita State is proud to contribute to the IFML’s mission of advancing trustworthy AI through Dr. Sinha’s research on improving machine learning reliability.” Harter also highlighted the benefits for students, noting, “This collaboration with the NSF AI IFML also provides our students with applied learning experiences that build critical skills for tomorrow’s data-driven workforce.”
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The renewed grant serves as a testament to WSU’s innovative research capabilities and its standing as a leading institution in the country. The NSF has previously recognized Wichita State’s prowess, ranking it second nationally for industry-funded engineering R&D and eighth for overall engineering R&D.
