AN ACT to establish artificial intelligence hubs at constituent institutions of the university of north carolinA and to appropriate funds for that purpose.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  No later than December 1, 2024, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall select up to three constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina to serve as Artificial Intelligence Hubs (AI Hubs) in this State. At least one AI Hub shall be one of North Carolina's Public Historically Black Colleges and Universities or North Carolina's Historically American Indian University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Each AI Hub shall convene industry and academia to ensure that artificial intelligence (i) generates economic growth for the State of North Carolina and (ii) protects the rights and liberties of the citizens of this State.

SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year the following sums for AI Hubs in this State:

(1)        Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) in nonrecurring funds to be allocated equally among constituent institutions selected for an AI Hub pursuant to Section 1 of this act, to establish AI Hubs, including necessary infrastructure. These funds shall not be made available to a selected constituent institution until that institution matches ten percent (10%) of the funds made available pursuant to this subdivision with non‑State funds.

(2)        One million dollars ($1,000,000) in recurring funds to be allocated equally among each constituent institution selected for an AI Hub pursuant to Section 1 of this act. These funds shall be used for operational support and personnel needed for the AI Hubs, including to establish an expert in residence position at each AI Hub.

SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2024.