The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on everyone’s daily life is undoubtedly increasing. As such, the Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies, from New Zealand’s Auckland University of Technology, has partnered with Dr John Flackett to create an Artificial Intelligence Lab (AiLab).
About the Initiative
According to a recent press release, the AiLab will be focused on developing solutions for everyday life and business, which will thereby improve life for New Zealanders.
The AiLab will be part of the University’s existing artificial intelligence initiatives, based in the Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies.
Moreover, it will be working not only within the University but also with industry partners.
Dr Flackett is the co-founder of AiLab in Adelaide, South Australia.
He will be establishing the AiLab while being an AI Specialist in Residence and will be based in the University’s School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences.
AiLab will promote information and knowledge engineering technologies across schools and faculties within the University and will act as a link between academic research and commercial partners.
Professor Guy Littlefair, the Dean of Design and Creative Technologies, shared that having Dr Flackett join AUT for a year in order to further advance the University’s AI capabilities is a fantastic opportunity.
He explained that the possibilities of AI are enormous. Having Dr Flackett to lead and create AiLab will build on the University’s existing work.
AiLab will provide world-class AI support, education and resources for industry, government and community.
Dr Flackett is looking forward to being at the University as his residency will help promote the ethical use of AI technologies.
His residency will begin in late April 2020 and will last for the duration of 12 months. Potential partners and other interested partners are invited to get in touch with him through via Yvonne Chan, Director of Engagement for Design and Creative Technologies.
Other Established AI Laboratories
Artificial Intelligence laboratories that have been set up in different parts of the globe, most likely have similar goals to the one in the University.
OpenGov Asia reported on a New AI Lab to be established in Thailand.
The Thailand branch of an American multinational technology company is working with the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) lab to cater to the farming sector and the smart city project.
The project lets users link with the firm’s research lab, where they can access intellectual properties from around the world that can be shared.
The company is working with the DES Ministry’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency to localise this knowledge for the agriculture sector and smart city scheme.
Under the scheme, a digital platform will be set up to cater to start-ups who can develop on top of it. Start-ups, universities and R&D organisations will step in to develop.
In 2018, the National University of Singapore has teamed up with Grab, one of Southeast Asia’s most frequently used online-to-offline mobile platforms, to set up an artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory.
The Grab-NUS AI Lab, which is the company’s first major AI laboratory and the University’s first AI laboratory with a commercial partner, aims to develop solutions to transform urban transportation, solve complex real-world challenges and pave the way for smarter cities in Southeast Asia.
The partnership is an opportunity for NUS researchers and students to make a real-world impact through research in data science and AI. NUS hopes to supply a significant stream of well-trained and experienced data scientists and AI researchers for Singapore and beyond, in the long-term.