Schmidt Sciences
| Formation | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Eric Schmidt, Wendy Schmidt |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Purpose | Funding unconventional research in science and technology |
Region served | Worldwide |
Parent organization | Schmidt Futures |
| Affiliations | Schmidt Ocean Institute |
| Remarks | Supports AI2050 fellowship, Ocean Biogeochemistry Virtual Institute (OBVI), and AI science safety research |
Schmidt Sciences is a philanthropic organization established in 2024 to fund unconventional research in science and technology.[1][2] Founded by Eric Schmidt and Wendy Schmidt, the nonprofit is a spin-off of Schmidt Futures.[3] Schmidt Sciences awards the AI2050 academic fellowship which asks scholars to imagine a future in which AI has benefited society.[4] The Schmidts have committed $125 million to the AI2050 program over five years.[4][5] The organization also partners with Schmidt Ocean Institute to support the Ocean Biogeochemistry Virtual Institute (OBVI).[6]
In 2025, Schmidt Sciences announced a new $10 million venture to fund scientific research into safety problems in AI.[2][7] The AI science safety program includes 27 projects.[7] Awardees announced in February 2025 included computer scientist Yoshua Bengio, who is developing AI risk mitigation technology, and Zico Kolter, an OpenAI board member, exploring AI attacks.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Schmidt, Eric (July–August 2024). "Why America needs an Apollo program for the age of AI". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved February 22, 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b Tremayne-Pengelly, Alexandra (February 18, 2025). "Eric Schmidt's $10 Million Bet on A.I. Safety". Observer. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
- ^ "FAQs". Schmidt Sciences. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
- ^ a b Karon, Paul (January 13, 2025). "AI2050: Eric and Wendy Schmidt's Optimistic AI Research Fellowship". Inside Philanthropy. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
- ^ Zegart, Amy (September–October 2024). "The Crumbling Foundations of American Strength: Knowledge Is Power-and the United States Is Losing It". Foreign Affairs. Retrieved February 22, 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "$45 Million for Ocean Science". Sea Technology. Vol. 65, no. 8. Arlington. August 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b c Heikkilä, Melissa (February 12, 2025). "Ex-Google chief warns west to focus on open-source AI in competition with China". Financial Times. Retrieved February 22, 2025.