University of Memphis putting $1M into artificial intelligence programs
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The University of Memphis said Thursday it’s investing $1 million into its growing artificial intelligence programs as part of an effort to bring xAI to Memphis.
Local officials announced Wednesday that xAI, founded by Elon Musk, plans to build the world’s largest supercomputer in Memphis this year, pending approval by local and state agencies.
“The arrival of xAI is a perfect fit with the technology innovation ecosystem of Memphis, which is centered around the University as a top-tier Carnegie R1 research institution,” U of M President Bill Hardgrave said in a news release. “We have much to offer in terms of talent, workforce training, and cutting-edge research.”
According to U of M, the university is already a leader in artificial intelligence, specifically in its application in education, healthcare, and transportation.
Many have been spearheaded by the FedEx Institute of Technology. Newer initiatives include the Center for Electrified and Autonomous Transportation and Agile Freight Supply Chain and the Learner Data Institute.
“The University of Memphis has one of the largest computer science programs in the State of Tennessee. In the past three fiscal years, enrollment in AI-aligned departments—including Management Information Systems and Electrical and Computer Engineering—has doubled, with a key portion of that growth coming from master’s level candidates,” university officials said.
While few details have been released about the proposed AI supercomputer, Greater Memphis Chamber CEO Ted Townsend described it as, “If you take the two largest supercomputers in the world, and you combine them and you multiply them by four, that’s what we’re building here in Memphis.”
Meka Egwuekwe, executive director of Code Crew, a nonprofit that teaches computer science and AI to Memphians, said the xAI project has the potential to put Memphis on the map as a tech hub.
“It’s been a growing tech hub for some time, but now this kind of confirmation to the tune of several billion dollars certainly has a significant impact,” he said.
