AI Pioneer Launches $100M Institute to Guide Tech’s Future
Andy Konwinski, co-founder of Databricks and Perplexity, Pledges Big for AI Research Focused on Public Benefit
In a move signaling commitment to ethical AI, a new research institute, funded by a $100 million pledge, is set to propel artificial intelligence. The initiative will focus on projects that benefit society, distinguishing itself from purely commercial ventures.
The Laude Institute Unveiled
Andy Konwinski, a prominent figure in the tech world, is behind the new venture called the Laude Institute. The institute, operating as a fund, will provide grants for AI research. Its board includes respected figures such as Dave Patterson, a UC Berkeley professor; Jeff Dean, Google’s chief scientist; and Joelle Pineau, Meta’s vice president of AI Research.
The institute’s inaugural grant of $3 million a year for five years will go to the new AI Systems Lab at UC Berkeley. This lab, opening in 2027, will be led by Ion Stoica, a Berkeley professor, and co-founder of Anyscale and Databricks.
“We exist to catalyze work that doesn’t just push the field forward but guides it towards more beneficial outcomes.”
—Andy Konwinski, Co-founder, Laude Institute
Navigating the Complex AI Landscape
Konwinski’s focus is on research that “guides” AI toward advantageous results. He plans to divide investments into “Slingshots” for early-stage research and “Moonshots” for long-term projects tackling major challenges, such as AI for scientific discovery. This mirrors the recent surge in AI applications; the global AI market is projected to reach $1.81 trillion by 2030, according to a recent report (Fortune Business Insights, 2024).
Commercial Interests and Research
Laude isn’t solely a grant-giving organization. Konwinski also co-founded a for-profit venture fund launched in 2024. This fund has already invested in AI agent infrastructure, further highlighting the interplay between research and commercial goals.
With a $100 million pledge, Konwinski is open to additional investment from other tech leaders. This effort comes after Konwinski’s success, including a $15.3 billion funding round for Databricks.
The creation of Laude Institute may offer a fresh approach to AI research. It aims to support independent research that could evolve into commerce that is beneficial to humanity.
