As artificial intelligence becomes a part of our daily lives, the City of San Jose, San Jose State University, and Nvidia announced a partnership that solidifies the City of San Jose as a leader in AI.
Nvidia has signed two agreements, including the company’s first-ever talent pipeline initiative with a city government, to provide training programs to advance workforce skills and drive innovation in the heart of Silicon Valley. did.
“NVIDIA has created an artificial intelligence training program that spans a variety of levels, including entry-level for understanding AI,” said Greg Estes, vice president of corporate marketing and developer programs at NVIDIA. . “Our partnership model leverages these training programs that we offer and works with cities, the California State University system, and community colleges to bring this capability to communities in a way that is tailored to their desires. “To be able to provide.”
AI is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, with financial experts estimating the market could grow to more than $1 trillion within the next decade.
Companies based in downtown San Jose alone have raised more than $1 billion in venture funding, according to research by commercial real estate firm CBRE.
As technology becomes more present in everyday applications such as mapping, shopping, and even TV show recommendations, local, state, and federal governments are working to increase efficiency and solve problems facing voters. is starting to experiment with AI.
Last week, the city hosted the first-ever GovAI Coalition Summit, where hundreds of government agencies and vendors shared best practices, templates, and practical solutions. The coalition, which started with about 50 people last year, has grown to hundreds of people, representing a growing demand for investment in AI solutions.
The collaboration between San Jose and Nvidia includes:
Share educational tools to improve AI skills for city workers. Promote AI awareness through workshops with Nvidia Deep Learning Institute. Establish a mentorship program and connect AI startups through the Nvidia Inception program.
The partnership will streamline the approval of AI initiatives, create financial incentives to promote projects, and potentially provide access to city facilities to support research and development.
San Jose has also expressed interest in collaborating with Nvidia to pilot an AI program to advance sustainability goals such as reducing carbon emissions.
City leaders have long sought to rival San Francisco and make San Jose a center for AI innovation. Last year, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and 4th Ward Councilman David Cohen also called for the use of AI to address civil issues, including discounts on utility bills, faster approval processes, and more. He suggested several strategies to encourage businesses to come to town, including financial incentives. .
Citing the city’s automatic license plate reading network, Mahan said the city is taking a lead in experimenting with AI and is on track to recover more than $3 million worth of stolen vehicles. The city also launched a pilot program with VTA to use technology to detect potholes and homeless encampments, reduce wait times at red lights and improve routes. Last week, the city approved another pilot program to model and predict traffic impacts from construction and major events.
“We need to prepare this next generation for the amazing innovations being driven by companies like Nvidia,” said Mahan. “We need to make sure we leave no one behind and what this agreement means today is to build a more innovative, rapidly changing and more inclusive economy, and for the benefit of citizens and society. It’s an opportunity to harness the power of AI. We need to use AI to solve problems, the problems that our communities care about most.”
SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson said the agreement with NVIDIA is the first of its kind in the California State University System.
Although Nvidia only has about 32,000 employees, it already has a strong workforce relationship with San Jose State, with about 700 alumni of the school.
The university hopes to increase its competitiveness in the technology industry by strengthening research in AI, machine learning, robotics and cybersecurity, as well as equipping students and faculty with advanced skills.
“The power of the three of us is exponentially greater than the individual contributions of each of our various organizations,” Teniente-Matson said of the partnership with San Jose and Nvidia. “We are leveraging our ability to serve as a global model for AI-influenced research and workforce needs for social and civic benefit.”
