The Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute at Wits University has received core funding of US$1 million from Google.org. Under the leadership of Professor Benjamin Rosman, recently recognized in TIME magazine’s TIME100 AI 2025 list, the institute is set to strengthen its position as a leading hub for artificial intelligence research in Africa. The funding will accelerate next-generation breakthroughs in natural and artificial intelligence while enhancing capacity development and cross-sector collaboration.
This strategic support will amplify the institute’s initiatives to build networks across academia, industry, and policymaking, fostering collaboration that drives real-world impact. The partnership reflects Google.org’s mission to back scientific discovery through external collaborations with tangible societal benefits.
Although only established in November 2024, the MIND Institute builds on over a decade of Wits University’s investment in postgraduate education and AI research. It has quickly emerged as a center for innovation, with its first cohort of 34 MIND Fellows, including research Chairs and National Research Foundation-rated scholars, leading more than 25 projects across diverse domains ranging from reinforcement learning to digital humanities. The MINDFund further supports novel research through targeted seed funding, currently backing five projects.
Professor Rosman emphasized that the institute was founded to position African researchers at the forefront of intelligence research, both natural and artificial. He highlighted that Google.org’s support will enhance its ability to nurture talent, incubate disruptive ideas, and translate discoveries into societal impact.
The institute also aims to ensure Africa’s active role in global AI development by creating models and policies rooted in the continent’s cultural and demographic diversity. Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice-Chancellor of Wits University, noted that this investment aligns with Wits’ long-standing tradition of technological innovation and cements Africa’s presence in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
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