Artificial intelligence is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen economies, drive scientific breakthroughs and bolster global cybersecurity. Realizing AI’s potential goes hand-in-hand with a commitment to its responsible development. That’s why in 2023, Google launched the Digital Futures Project to support independent thinkers working to facilitate dialogue and inquiry into the potential and impact of this transformative technology.
Today, Google.org is announcing a total of $15 million in funding to support a new cohort of think tanks and academic institutions — reaffirming our commitment to navigating the future of AI together.
Expanding the Digital Futures Fund
Our 2023 group of Digital Futures Fund grantees has already started to provide vital perspectives. Through deep collaboration among industry, academia and civil society, these researchers are exploring critical questions around AI governance, security and economic opportunity. They’ve looked at how AI can help workers globally, from farmers to scientists; how AI can help stay ahead of evolving cyber threats; and how the community can build innovation-friendly guardrails.
Building on this momentum, the new group of researchers will focus on three primary pillars essential to a thriving AI ecosystem:
- Work and the economy: Exploring AI’s impact on labor markets, sector-specific transformations in manufacturing and healthcare, and the policy environments needed to maximize workforce opportunity
- Innovation and infrastructure: Understanding the infrastructure and energy demands required to power AI leadership, and how these advancements can drive broader national competitiveness
- Security and governance: Developing frameworks for responsible innovation and assessing how AI can enhance the security of critical institutions and enterprises
This expansion brings our overall commitment to the Digital Futures Fund to over $35 million globally since its launch. A few of the organizations joining our 2026 cohort include American Compass, The Center for Strategic and International Studies, Urban Institute and Centro Nacional de Inteligencia Artificial (CENIA).
Building a foundation for the future
The decisions we make today about how to use AI will have an impact for generations. As this new group begins its work, we look forward to the insights they will uncover — helping to ensure that as AI evolves, it does so in a way that is secure, equitable and beneficial for people everywhere. By supporting independent research and fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue, we hope to facilitate deep collaboration among industry, academia, governments and civil society that brings the benefits of AI to everyone.
