Brunswick, Maine — Reed Hastings, co-founder and executive chairman of Netflix, has committed $50 million to Bowdoin College, marking one of the most significant gifts in the institution’s 229-year history. The donation will fund a new artificial intelligence initiative designed to integrate AI into the heart of a liberal arts education.
The Hastings Scholars Program in Artificial Intelligence, as it will be called, will support new faculty hires, student scholarships, interdisciplinary research, and the creation of AI-focused learning spaces. Bowdoin’s leadership emphasized that this initiative aims to equip students with both technical AI literacy and a deep understanding of its ethical, social, and philosophical implications.
“This gift from Reed Hastings is game-changing,” Bowdoin President Safa Zaki said in a statement. “We are building a program that stands at the intersection of technology and humanity, preparing students to not only work with AI but to question and shape its future.”
Unlike many AI programs centered at large research universities, Bowdoin’s initiative will be one of the first of its kind among small liberal arts colleges. The curriculum will weave AI concepts into traditional disciplines such as philosophy, political science, history, and environmental studies.
Hastings, a 1983 Bowdoin graduate, said in a statement that his alma mater is uniquely positioned to produce graduates who will “ensure AI serves society broadly and equitably.” He added, “AI will transform every field, and the liberal arts are critical to guiding its ethical and thoughtful application.”
The gift comes at a time when educational institutions globally are accelerating efforts to adapt to the AI revolution. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2024, over 75% of businesses plan to implement AI tools within the next three years, yet the demand for talent capable of balancing technical know-how with ethical awareness far outpaces supply.
“Many technologists recognize that AI doesn’t just need more engineers—it needs humanists, ethicists, and critical thinkers,” said Dr. Susan Etlinger, a global expert on AI ethics and a senior fellow at The Aspen Institute. “Bowdoin’s program could help fill that gap.”
Hastings has long advocated for education reform, previously supporting efforts to expand charter schools and improve digital learning. His latest donation reflects a growing trend among tech leaders who are steering their philanthropic dollars toward AI education, though few have directed such resources to smaller liberal arts colleges.
“Too often, AI is framed solely through a technical or commercial lens,” Hastings said. “But as these technologies increasingly shape the social fabric, we need leaders from all walks of life who can reflect on the broader consequences.”
Construction on new AI-dedicated facilities is slated to begin later this year, with the first Hastings Scholars expected to matriculate in 2026. Bowdoin’s program will offer research opportunities, industry partnerships, and internships, positioning graduates for roles at the forefront of the AI economy.
For Bowdoin students like junior Amina Chen, majoring in government and digital studies, the new program signals hope for a more inclusive and reflective future in AI. “We hear so much about AI disrupting jobs or spreading misinformation,” she said. “I’m excited Bowdoin is taking the lead in making sure we also talk about how AI can strengthen democracy and human rights.”
As AI continues its rapid integration into every facet of life, Hastings’ landmark gift stands as a bold reminder: The next generation of AI leaders might just emerge from a quiet campus in Maine.
