Together, Emory University and Georgia Tech are investing more than $1 billion in artificial intelligence (AI), building one of the nation’s most robust AI ecosystems in the city of Atlanta.
The combined commitment — approximately $600 million from Emory and more than $575 million from Georgia Tech — strengthens Atlanta’s competitiveness for new business growth, skilled workers, investment and federal research funding.
The institutions contribute unique capabilities that span the full AI innovation pipeline. Georgia Tech’s investments focus on advanced computing, AI discovery and workforce development — with the goal of developing leaders who will shape AI use for human good. Emory’s investments cultivate AI talent, healthcare innovation and technology applications in medicine, business, law, the humanities and ethics. Additionally, Georgia Tech and Emory will collaborate where their strengths intersect, creating new opportunities for research partnerships, talent development, industry engagement and AI-enabled innovation.
“Georgia is poised to be a national leader in advanced, responsible AI development that can be counted on to produce the talent, infrastructure and innovation companies need,” says Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera. “The combined strengths of Georgia Tech and Emory will help make Atlanta a leading AI hub that drives breakthrough discoveries, launches new ventures, powers industries and fuels economic growth.”
“Atlanta is unique because of what we can accomplish together,” says Emory University President Christopher L. Augostini. “The collaboration between our universities and leaders in government and business allows us to identify and respond to the opportunities AI offers our state to accelerate discovery and improve lives. The combination of Emory’s expertise in the liberal arts and health sciences with Georgia Tech’s leadership in technology and engineering makes our region a national leader in AI.”
Building what companies need
The investments come as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s “Science: A New Golden Age” report calls for stronger partnerships, advanced scientific infrastructure and AI-enabled discovery to strengthen American innovation.
As AI reshapes industries, companies need more than technology. They need AI-skilled talent, advanced computing power, research expertise and the ability to turn AI into real-world solutions. Georgia Tech and Emory are investing across all four:
- Building computing power: Georgia Tech’s investments include advanced computing infrastructure in Tech Square, a campuswide computing platform, and a new AI supercomputer (Nexus) that will be launched in October. The infrastructure, funded jointly by Georgia Tech, industry and the National Science Foundation, provides advanced computing resources for students, faculty and researchers applying AI to pressing challenges.
- Building talent: Georgia Tech’s AI Makerspace gives more than 6,000 students each year the opportunity for hands-on AI experience, while nearly half of Emory’s approximately $600 million investment has gone toward recruiting and retaining talent and experts in Atlanta.
- Building research expertise: Emory’s AI.Humanity initiative brings together more than 250 faculty members across eight schools and colleges. Georgia Tech’s AI ecosystem encompasses every discipline: computing, engineering, science, business, design and the liberal arts. This includes multiple National Science Foundation AI Institutes advancing AI in areas such as energy, supply chains, healthcare, aging and education.
- Building real-world applications: Emory Healthcare is already using AI to enhance patient care. Emory’s AI.Health institute applies AI to cancer, kidney disease and other health challenges, contributing to three spinoff companies and 40 licensed technologies. Georgia Tech’s Tech AI brings together companies and government partners with leading researchers to accelerate AI adoption in industry and government. These investments strengthen Atlanta’s capacity to turn AI research into new companies, stronger industries and economic growth.
Expanding opportunity across Georgia
Georgia Tech and Emory are working to extend the benefits of AI beyond their campuses, preparing Georgians in every county to build the skills needed in a rapidly changing economy.
- Preparing people for an AI-driven workforce: Georgia Tech’s College of Lifetime Learning is developing new approaches to continuing education, upskilling and reskilling workers so they can adapt and grow throughout their careers. Georgia Tech is also working with K–12 schools, universities, technical colleges, communities and industry to expand pathways into education and employment. Emory’s AI + You Georgia is similarly bringing free AI education and workforce training to communities across the state.
- Bringing AI to Georgia manufacturers: Georgia Tech leads Georgia AIM, a statewide initiative backed by nearly $100 million in federal, state and private support that brings together industry, universities, technical colleges and communities to advance AI-enabled manufacturing and build the workforce to support it.
- Building the next generation of manufacturing talent: Georgia Tech recently joined Foundry School, a national initiative preparing engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs and industry leaders for advanced manufacturing — building on Georgia Tech’s existing work connecting students, industry and workforce partners with advanced manufacturing research.
Building a national center for applied AI
These collective investments support a larger ambition articulated by the Atlanta Mayor’s Office: making Atlanta a top five technology and entrepreneurship hub and a national center of excellence for applied AI.
This fall, Avant South, Atlanta’s premier AI event, will convene Atlanta’s business and technology leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and government and civic leaders to strengthen the connections and collaboration driving Atlanta’s rise as a leading technology hub.
Within Avant South, an invitation-only AI Summit will focus on accelerating Atlanta’s emergence as a national center of excellence for applied AI — harnessing the region’s research, talent, industry and investment to create new companies, accelerate innovation and drive economic growth.
Why this investment matters for Georgia
Together, these investments are already:
- Creating high-quality jobs by building a strong pipeline of AI-skilled talent.
- Attracting and retaining companies by pairing talent with advanced computing, research and real-world applications.
- Preparing Georgia’s workforce for AI-enabled industries and advanced manufacturing.
- Accelerating medical and scientific breakthroughs while moving new technologies into practical use.
- Improving healthcare for patients in Georgia by moving medical and scientific advances from the lab into practice.
- Bringing federal research funding and private investment into Georgia.
- Expanding access to AI education and technology across the state.
- Driving innovation in key industries including healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, energy and national security.
- Strengthening Atlanta’s position as a leading technology hub and national center for applied AI.
Georgia Tech and Emory are helping to establish Atlanta as a national center for applied AI. Their investments combine research expertise, talent, computing infrastructure and real-world applications. The result is new opportunities for innovation, economic growth and long-term competitiveness throughout Georgia.
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