The public-private investment will expand access to advanced AI computing for research and education, with SHI International responsible for building and operating the infrastructure
New Jersey has launched a supercomputer initiative backed by more than $125 million in public and private investment, bringing together eight research universities, state agencies and technology partners to expand access to artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.
Announced by Governor Mikie Sherrill the New Jersey Supercomputer Initiative (NJSCI) is expected to double the combined supercomputing capacity currently available across the state's research universities, while increasing access to advanced computing hardware for students, researchers and businesses.
The project includes a $75 million personal donation from NVIDIA co-founder Chris Malachowsky and his wife Melody, alongside a $25 million investment from technology solutions provider SHI International and $25 million from the state of New Jersey.
SHI will serve as the initiative's strategic architect and lead solutions integrator, overseeing the design, construction, hosting and day-to-day operation of the infrastructure at its facilities in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Eight universities join shared AI research infrastructure
The initiative brings together Kean University, Montclair State University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Rowan University, Rutgers University, Seton Hall University and Stevens Institute of Technology, alongside the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.
Each participating university plans to make annual contributions to the initiative's operating budget. Additional higher education institutions will be able to explore participation through arrangements scheduled to be announced in 2027.
Rather than requiring universities to develop and maintain separate computing infrastructure, NJSCI is designed to provide a shared resource for research projects that demand substantial processing capacity.
Dozens of potential projects are already under review for access in 2027, including research using AI and high-performance computing to model flooding, improve coastal protection, investigate cancer and other diseases, accelerate drug development and examine the safety of large language models.
John Pelesko, Interim President of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, says access to computing resources can determine whether research ideas progress beyond the planning stage.
“Large-scale computing has become one of the real limits on what we can discover. Many good ideas, whether in a lab or a classroom, wait because the machine needed to test them is out of reach,” he says.
The initiative is expected to provide faculty and students with access to computing resources that individual institutions may struggle to support independently.
AI workforce training and apprenticeships planned
Alongside research infrastructure, New Jersey is developing education and workforce pathways intended to give students and workers practical experience with advanced computing technologies.
The state's AI Higher Education and Workforce Collaborative is working with colleges and universities on new curricula, hands-on training and apprenticeship opportunities covering AI literacy, responsible AI use, data science and high-performance computing.
Students are expected to gain direct experience with the supercomputer through research projects, capstone assignments and coursework.
Kevin D. Jarvis, Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, says: “The apprenticeships and training programs tied to this initiative will help New Jersey workers develop the skills needed to succeed in AI, data science, and advanced computing fields where employers are actively hiring.”
The New Jersey Council of County Colleges will also participate in the initiative, extending the planned education and workforce development opportunities to the state's community college sector.
The council represents 18 community colleges, with President Aaron Fichtner identifying expanded research and educational access as part of their role in preparing students for an AI-focused workforce.
SHI to build and operate infrastructure in New Jersey
SHI International will manage the technical architecture, integration and operation of the supercomputer environment, bringing together the technology and engineering expertise required to support participating institutions.
The company will host the infrastructure within its existing New Jersey facilities, including its AI & Cyber Lab and Data Center Factory in Piscataway.
Jack Hogan, Vice President of Advanced Growth Technologies at SHI, says: “SHI is bringing together the expertise and technology needed to turn that ambition into a shared foundation, one that gives researchers, students and innovators across the state the capacity to ask bigger questions, move faster from idea to discovery and build the skills that will define the next generation of AI talent.”
The infrastructure will be developed in phases, allowing computing capacity to expand according to demand. SHI says the design will incorporate advanced cooling and energy-efficiency measures, while the initiative also plans to bring additional clean energy onto New Jersey's electricity grid.
From 2027, the supercomputer will be administered by NJSCI as an independent nonprofit organization, with transparent governance and equitable access among its stated principles.
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