Reed Hastings Donates $50 Million to Bowdoin College for AI Initiative

Reed Hastings, cofounder of Netflix, has donated $50 million to Bowdoin College to establish the Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity, announced in a press release. This donation marks the largest gift in the college's 231-year history.

The initiative aims to deepen Bowdoin's engagement with artificial intelligence by hiring ten new faculty members across various disciplines and supporting faculty interested in integrating AI into their teaching and research. The funding will also facilitate discussions on the ethical use of AI and the challenges it presents.

Bowdoin College President Safa Zaki expressed gratitude for Hastings' support, emphasizing the college's commitment to exploring the ethical frameworks necessary for technological progress. The initiative will ensure that Bowdoin students are well-prepared to lead in a world increasingly influenced by AI.