The University of Florida celebrated the opening of its new Malachowsky Hall for Data Science & Information Technology in Gainsville, Florida. The state-of-the-art facility, which cost $150 million, was made possible by a generous donation from Nvidia, Nvidia cofounder Chris Malachowsky, and the state of Florida.

The purpose of the building is to establish a new standard for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) buildings worldwide, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. The dedication ceremony for the seven-story structure took place today.

Malachowsky Hall is designed to be a multidisciplinary space for medicine, pharmacy, and engineering. It will serve as a central hub for advancing computing, communication, and cyber technologies, as well as supporting the University of Florida’s efforts to integrate AI across its curriculum.

According to UF Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini, the building is not only a testament to the university’s commitment to advancing the future of science, but also a symbol of the possibilities that arise when universities focus on a brighter future. The building is expected to drive AI education and research that will have a positive impact on lives, industry, and economic growth both locally and globally.

Chris Malachowsky, one of the founders of Nvidia, played a key role in collaborating with architects to design the building’s facade. The project received $110 million in funding from the state, as well as additional private and college funds. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was scheduled to have a fireside chat at the university today.

In addition to the Malachowsky Hall, UF has established itself as a leader in AI education and research with the help of support from Malachowsky and Nvidia. UF is the first and only university in the United States to offer every student the opportunity to learn about AI and its applications in their respective fields. The university also works closely with other educational institutions to effectively integrate AI into their teaching methods.

In 2020, Malachowsky and Nvidia gifted nearly $60 million towards the creation of HiPerGator, one of the most powerful AI supercomputers in the country. The supercomputer, equipped with 1,120 Nvidia A100 GPUs, is now accessible to all 55,000 UF students. With additional state funding, UF has been able to expand its AI faculty, with over 110 new members joining the existing 300 engaged in AI teaching and research.

UF President Ben Sasse expressed his excitement about the university’s initiatives, stating that the new building will fuel breakthroughs and promote collaboration across disciplines, further enhancing UF’s reputation as a forward-thinking research and teaching institution.

Undergraduate and graduate students from any college and discipline will have the opportunity to enroll in data analytic courses offered by the Informatics Institute’s data science certificate programs. These programs aim to foster cross-college interactions and equip students with the necessary skills to tackle complex problems.

The inauguration of Malachowsky Hall marks a significant milestone for the University of Florida and reinforces its position as a leader in AI education and research. The new facility, combined with the HiPerGator supercomputer, will provide students and faculty with the tools and resources to make groundbreaking discoveries and contribute to the advancement of AI technologies.