The US university‑industry link in the R&D of AI: Back to the origins?

Contributing to the fast-growing field of artificial intelligence (AI), this paper examines the close relationship between universities and industry regarding AI research and development in the USA. Recalling the history of university–industry relationships across the several phases of the US national system of innovation (NSI), we argue that current collaborations resemble, in some respects, what occurred during the prewar NSI. Yet, the AI R&D presents some peculiarities. Universities are changing their positioning in the innovation process and adopting a research-based training model in domains affected by AI. This could potentially change the trajectory of university–industry links, since it is very much in line with the typical Humboldtian perspective that was at work in some European institutes in the 18th century and in the United States in the early 20th century. At the same time, if the way in which the production of knowledge and the training of the workforce envisages a return to the origins, differences arise in the definition of the main goals, e.g., Sustainable Development Goals, and in the role of stakeholders. The overall discussion also bears some implications for the link between division of knowledge and division of labor.