(TNS) — Grand Valley State University (GVSU) has secured a significant advancement in its technology initiatives following the approval of the $166 million Blue Dot technology hub. U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten announced over $1 million in federal funding to support the university’s efforts in developing “trustworthy” artificial intelligence (AI) during a press briefing held at the GVSU Richard M. DeVos Center in downtown Grand Rapids on February 18. Scholten was accompanied by GVSU President Philomena Mantella and Dean Marouane Kessentini of the College of Computing.
“Artificial intelligence is no longer some far-off concept,” Scholten stated. “It’s here, and it’s shaping our communities every single day in the products we manufacture, small businesses, delivery of health care and the training of our workforce. The question in front of us is not whether AI will change the future; it’s how we can guide those changes thoughtfully.”
The funding, directed by Congress, will serve as a catalyst for GVSU’s newly established West Michigan Trustworthy AI Consortium, which will be housed within the College of Computing as part of the Blue Dot center. “As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, higher education has the responsibility to ensure that advancement is paired with purpose,” Mantella emphasized. She noted that the majority of GVSU graduates remain in Michigan, which highlights the university’s commitment to local community engagement.
Through the consortium, GVSU plans to collaborate with partners across academia, industry, government, and nonprofits to lead advanced research in AI, strengthen the workforce pipeline, and position Michigan as a leader in the evolving landscape of AI technology. Kessentini remarked, “At a time when AI is rapidly transforming our economy and our society, this initiative focuses on building AI systems that are transparent, responsible, secure and worthy of public trust.”
The consortium is also poised to develop frameworks for AI governance, aligning its efforts with the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. “Trustworthy AI means building technology that is secure, reliable, and transparent to consumers,” Scholten added. “It means asking hard questions about how automation affects workers, families, and communities before the technology is deployed, not after.”
The GVSU Board of Trustees approved two project plans on February 6, totaling $166 million for the construction of the Blue Dot technology hub. To finance this initiative, the university plans to issue bonds not to exceed $139 million. The funding strategy has been met with both support from university leaders and criticism from some faculty members who attended the meeting.
The bonds will finance the $101.4 million renovation of the 10-story L.V. Eberhard Center and a new building addition estimated at $64.6 million, which will serve as the Blue Dot Lab. Mantella articulated the vision behind the project, stating, “What this project is really about is human flourishing. It’s about businesses flourishing. It’s about engaging in a new way, with a new platform, with a new tool and doing it the right way.”
GVSU’s recent commitment to expanding its technological offerings aligns with the rising demand for AI expertise, having announced new AI degree programs last year. The Blue Dot Lab is positioned as a pivotal investment in student opportunities, fostering new community engagements.
The new bonds will bring GVSU close to its “high-water mark” for total bond debt, which surpassed $260 million in 2020. However, university officials indicated that GVSU has a strong track record of rapidly paying off its debts, with a decline in existing repayment costs anticipated to begin in 2031.
In addition to the bond financing, GVSU is set to receive $30 million from the state for the Blue Dot project, part of a $616 million supplemental funding bill passed by the Michigan Legislature in November 2023. This multi-faceted funding approach underscores GVSU’s intent to play a proactive role in the AI landscape, ensuring that technological advancements benefit both individuals and the broader community.
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