The Google DeepMind offices after the announcement that Founder and CEO Demis Hassabis and senior research scientist John M. Jumper received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry on Oct. 9, 2024, in London. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images/TNS)
Ohio State announced a new partnership with Google Cloud this month that will plant a dedicated Google space on campus, one of the largest deals of its kind, as one of the first physical Google outposts on a college campus anywhere.
“Ohio State is pleased to partner with Google Cloud to establish an on-campus space in Ohio State’s Innovation District,” Dawn Larzelere, associate vice president of operations for the university’s Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge, said in a statement.
The partnership gives Ohio State researchers access to Google’s AI models and a direct line to its DeepMind lab. These tools will be used to transform research from biomedical engineering to earth sciences to the humanities, according to Larzelere.
It’s also the latest addition to a fast-moving stretch of AI announcements at Ohio State. The list includes the AI Fluency Initiative, the AI(X) Hub, the Arts and Humanities AI Institute and Buckeye Bio Launch, according to Larzelere’s statement.
University spokesperson Ben Johnson said in an email that the benefits for the university include a research ambassador program from Google Public Sector, a first-of-its-kind internship program offering partnerships with Ohio State students and new tools to assist students from admission to graduation and beyond.
“The partnership with Google Public Sector will accelerate research in a range of fields, from biomedical engineering to earth sciences to the humanities, through access to premier AI models, high-powered computing capabilities and collaboration with Google’s DeepMind,” Johnson said.
Matthew Schneider, managing director of U.S. education, state and local government for Google Public Sector, echoed that enthusiasm in an emailed statement to the Lantern.
“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with The Ohio State University through this new collaboration,” Schneider said. “Google is committed to working closely with forward-thinking institutions like Ohio State to explore how AI and advanced technologies can transform academics, research and the broader campus experience.”
Students should expect internships and more out of this deal, according to Larzelere. She said that there are plans for personalized AI assistants, career tools and what she called “unique experimental learning opportunities” meant to follow students through graduation.
Larzelere said further details are coming at a launch event this fall.
This is an ongoing story, and The Lantern will update as more information is obtained.
