How New Jersey plans to lead the future of innovation through AI
Writer: Mariana Hernández
April 2025 — New Jersey is no stranger to innovation, considering that technology is one of the major industries in the state. From Thomas Edison inventions in Menlo Park to today’s new NJ AI Hub, the Garden State has been a key location for progress and innovation. Today, the state’s government has a new focus — Artificial Intelligence.
Last month, the state and Princeton University opened the new NJ AI Hub, a state-of-the-art center that integrates research, education, innovation and workforce in one place. Located in West Windsor Township, the hub is the result of a partnership between Princeton University, Microsoft, CoreWeave and New Jersey.
“New Jersey is positioning itself to become a national leader in the AI industry, building upon our centuries-old legacy in technological innovation and discovery,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan, as cited by choose.new jersey. “We are helping create good-paying jobs and sustainable economic growth across the state.”
With Microsoft and CoreWeave, two key players in the AI and cloud computing space, the hub will provide the technical infrastructure needed to lead on research and talent development through the TechSpark program. This $72 million investment will help generate high-skill jobs and attract global attention to the Garden State. The TechSpark program has proven success having trained 65,000 people and created 4,500 jobs across all 50 states.
Governor Murphy’s administration has an extensive strategy to invest in AI, not just as a technological advancement by itself, but as a tool for economic development, education and governance. In October 2023, Governor Phil Murphy established the Artificial Intelligence Task Force to analyze AI’s impact in the society and implement its ethical use to protect individuals and civil rights.
This move is part of an initiative to ensure AI’s development in the state across public and private sectors, including startups, since this emerging industry is set to contribute $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
As this sector continues to grow, the technology industry is in need of well qualified talent. The state has expanded its support to international entrepreneurs with AI expertise to join programs at New Jersey’s universities that foster this culture. That is the case of the Global Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) pilot program that will be launched in the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and William Paterson University. Through a provided H-1B visa, students will immerse themselves in research, mentoring and developing their startups on generative AI.
“New Jersey has long been at the forefront of American innovation and AI is the next chapter of this journey,” said Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, as cited by choose.new jersey. “By leveraging the strengths of the private sector, Princeton, and the state of New Jersey, our goal is to build a thriving regional AI economy that not only drives economic growth, but sets a new standard for research, development, and workforce development.”
New Jersey’s AI strategy is more than tech investments; it’s a comprehensive blueprint for accountable innovation. With ethical guidelines, cultivating skilled talent and attracting global partners, the state is creating a self-sustaining ecosystem for AI innovation. This will create job opportunities, strengthen the economy, and improve lives in the state, positioning New Jersey as an emerging national leader in transformative technology.
Top image via Daderot/Wikimedia
For more information, please visit:
https://innovation.nj.gov/
https://njaihub.org/
