The University of Cambridge’s newly established Centre for Human-Inspired AI (CHIA) has announced a groundbreaking research agreement with Google, marking Google as the first funding partner for the center. This collaboration signifies a significant step in the advancement of responsible AI research, with a particular focus on healthcare and sustainability. The partnership builds upon the longstanding relationship between Google Research, Google DeepMind, and the University of Cambridge.
A milestone agreement
Under this partnership, Google will provide substantial research funding to support CHIA’s efforts in pioneering responsible artificial intelligence. The grant offered to CHIA comes with no restrictions, allowing the research center the freedom to explore various aspects of AI without limitations.
Additionally, Google will extend support to a postdoctoral fellowship, further promoting the development of emerging talent in the AI field. In a move that underscores their commitment to the collaboration, Google DeepMind has also established the first-ever professorship in machine learning at Cambridge’s Department of Computer Science and Technology.
A vision for responsible AI
Matt Brittin, President of Google EMEA and a Cambridge alumnus, expressed the importance of working together to harness AI’s potential. He emphasized the significant role AI can play in improving daily life and addressing societal challenges. Brittin hopes that this collaboration with the University of Cambridge will lead to bold, responsible AI research that meets the needs of people both locally and globally.
Support from the UK government
The partnership between Google and the University of Cambridge aligns with the UK government’s vision for responsible AI development. Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, highlighted the vast opportunities AI can bring, including economic growth and enhanced quality of life. She underscored the importance of bridging insights from both the business and academic sectors to ensure the safe and responsible advancement of AI.
A human-centric approach
Professor Anna Korhonen, Director of CHIA, emphasized CHIA’s dedication to placing people at the forefront of AI developments. She praised Google as the first funding partner, highlighting the tech giant’s ongoing support in enabling interdisciplinary research. Professor Korhonen emphasized that partnerships like this, bridging academia and industry, are essential for the successful development of human-inspired AI.
Shared commitment to responsible AI
Zoubin Ghahramani, VP of Research at Google DeepMind and a professor at the University of Cambridge, has been a driving force behind this collaboration. He highlighted Google and Cambridge’s shared commitment to developing AI responsibly. Ghahramani expressed excitement about CHIA’s potential to set new standards in responsible and human-centric AI development, with the ultimate goal of unlocking AI discoveries that benefit everyone.
The partnership between the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Human-Inspired AI and Google represents a significant step forward in responsible AI research. With Google’s generous research grant and support for a postdoctoral fellowship, this collaboration will undoubtedly yield groundbreaking insights in healthcare, sustainability, and other critical areas. It also reflects the UK government’s commitment to fostering responsible AI development.
This partnership underscores the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation between academia and industry to ensure AI’s responsible and ethical advancement. As CHIA leads the way in human-centric AI development, the world eagerly anticipates the transformative discoveries that may emerge from this innovative collaboration between one of the world’s leading universities and a tech giant at the forefront of AI research.
