On Monday, Google announced the launch of its AI Futures Fund, a new initiative aimed at investing in the startup built by Google DeepMind, the company’s AI R&D lab.

The fund will range from seed to post-training and provide varying levels of support, including allowing founders to access DeepMind's Google AI models as early as possible, the ability to work with DeepMind and Google Labs' Google Expertes, and Google Cloud Credits. Some startups will also have the opportunity to get direct investment from Google.

"AI futures funds do not follow a batch or queue pattern," a Google spokesperson told TechCrunch. "Instead, we consider opportunities on a rolling basis - there is no fixed application window or deadline. We may choose to invest when we encounter companies that are aligned with fund papers. We do not announce specific fund sizes at this time and are checked based on the stage and needs of the company, usually in the early to mid-term, so that opportunities later on are flexible and stable."

AI Futures Funds already have some case studies. Startups such as meme platform Viggle and Webtoon App Toonsutra participated in the program.

Startups can apply here starting May 12.

Over the past few months, Google has been making a huge commitment to support the next generation of AI talent and scientific breakthroughs.

Last November, the company's charitable wing Google.org announced a $20 million cash commitment to researchers and scientists working in AI. This followed in September, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that the company was creating a $120 million global AI Opportunity Fund to help bring AI education and training to more places around the world. Google.org has also launched a $20 million Generate AI Accelerator program to cut checks from nonprofits that develop AI Tech.

Google also owns Google's startup founder funds, which supports founders from a range of industry and background companies, including AI companies. A spokesperson told TechCrunch in February that this year, the fund will start investing in U.S. AI-focused startups and provide more information later.