New support for AI advancement in Central and Eastern Europe

This week Google expanded our support for INSAIT, the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Sofia, Bulgaria. This new investment of over $2 million reaffirms our commitment to fostering AI research and talent development in Central and Eastern Europe.

The funding will provide INSAIT with over $1 million in cloud computing resources, including access to Google Cloud's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). These powerful processors are specifically designed for machine learning workloads, and accessing them will empower INSAIT researchers to build foundational models and conduct groundbreaking research in AI.

The remaining $1 million will be dedicated to funding eight doctoral scholarships under the Google-INSAIT cooperation. This initiative aims to attract and support the brightest minds in the region, fostering a new generation of AI experts.

The investment builds on our initial support for INSAIT, which began with a $3 million donation in 2022 for compute resources and scholarships for talented students. Google researchers also help mentor INSAIT's doctoral students.

Supporting INSAIT's mission

We believe Central and Eastern Europe has immense untapped potential in the field of AI. While the region is home to a wealth of talent, it remains underrepresented in AI research. By investing in institutions like INSAIT, we want to help change that.

INSAIT, launched in 2022, has become a leading research center in the region. Its mission is to build a world-class research environment that attracts, develops and retains top talent, ultimately fostering a thriving high-tech economy in Bulgaria. And according to Professor Martin Vechev, Founder and Scientific Director of INSAIT, this latest support reinforces that INSAIT is on the right track.

Together, we are building a brighter future for AI — one that's more inclusive, innovative and impactful for everyone.