NSF Invests $100 Million in National AI Research InstitutesThe National Science Foundation has announced a $100 million investment in National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes, part of a broader White House strategy to maintain American leadership as competition with China intensifies. The funding will support research institutes at five universities plus a central coordination hub focused on areas including mental health applications, materials discovery and human-AI collaboration. The initiative aligns with the White House AI Action Plan aimed at sustaining America's global AI dominance. Workforce DevelopmentBeyond research breakthroughs, the institutes will train the next generation of AI practitioners and expand access to AI education across communities. The NSF launched its first AI institutes in 2020, and the recent announcement continues building a nationwide network designed to ensure AI serves public interests while maintaining American competitiveness.