Global technology chipmaker Intel Corp. has committed an additional $50 million in a pandemic response technology initiative to address the COVID-19 crisis. The fund is meant to be used to accelerate access to technology at the point of patient care, speed up scientific research, and ensure access to online learning for students.

Intel said $40 million is earmarked for the “Intel COVID-19 Response and Readiness and Online Learning initiatives,” which will be used to help accelerate customer and partner advances in diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development, leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing and edge-to-cloud service delivery.

The remaining $10 million will be used as an innovation fund that supports requests from external partners and employee-led relief projects, addressing critical needs in their communities.

Have you read “Intel acquires AI chipmaker Habana Labs for $2B“?

“The world faces an enormous challenge in fighting COVID-19,” said Bob Swan, CEO, Intel. “Intel is committed to accelerating access to technology that can combat the current pandemic and enable new technology and the scientific discovery that better prepares society for future crises. We hope that by sharing our expertise, resources, and technology, we can help to accelerate work that saves lives and expands access to critical services around the world during this challenging time.”

Combat COVID-19

Intel will increase the use of its relevant technologies available to the healthcare and life sciences sectors to easily diagnose and treat COVID-19. The company also hopes to form alliances with different industries to expedite breakthroughs and bring all the response efforts into a global capacity not just for this pandemic but also in future crises like this.

Intel believes all sectors depend on the foundations of critical products and services across the globe.

“We hope that by harnessing our expertise, resources, technology, and talents, we can help save and enrich lives by solving the world’s greatest challenges through the creation and development of new technology-based innovations and approaches,” Intel said in a media release.