̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - Ann Copestake

New programme to accelerate AI research capability at Cambridge

sc604 — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 23:55:43 +0000

Supported by a donation from Schmidt Futures, a philanthropic initiative founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, the Accelerate Programme for Scientific Discovery will level the playing field for young researchers, providing them with specialised training in these powerful techniques, which have the potential to speed up the pace of discovery across a range of disciplines.

̽��ֱ��programme will initially be aimed at researchers in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine), but will grow to include arts, humanities and social science researchers who want to use machine learning skills to accelerate their research.

̽��ֱ��Accelerate Programme will be led by Professor Neil Lawrence, DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning.

“Machine learning and AI are increasingly part of our day-to-day lives, but they aren’t being used as effectively as they could be, due in part to major gaps of understanding between different research disciplines,” said Lawrence. “This programme will help us to close these gaps by training physicists, biologists, chemists and other scientists in the latest machine learning techniques, giving them the skills they need while accelerating the excellent research already taking place at the ̽��ֱ��.”

“As the intellectual home of Alan Turing, the father of artificial intelligence and modern computer science, Cambridge has long fostered technological innovation and invention,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Toope. “This programme will help ensure that Cambridge continues to be a beacon for the very best young global researchers, and that we’re giving them the tools they need to thrive.”

̽��ֱ��five-year programme will be designed and delivered by four new early-career specialists, who will work with researchers from the Department of Computer Science and Technology as well as collaborators from industry. In the first year, the specialists will provide structured training in machine learning techniques to 32 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, with training provided to a total of 160 PhD students and postdocs over the first five years of the programme. ̽��ֱ��specialists will also have the opportunity to pursue their own research interests as part of their fellowships.

̽��ֱ��programme will also benefit from in-kind support from DeepMind. ̽��ֱ��world-leading British AI company, founded by Queens’ College alumnus Demis Hassabis, has assisted in the development of the programme, and will offer programme participants guest lectures from DeepMind's research team and the opportunity to apply for internship positions.

“Machine learning and AI have the potential to revolutionise any number of fields, but there simply aren’t enough scientists with machine learning skills in those fields at the moment,” said Professor Ann Copestake, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Technology. “This programme will combine Cambridge’s research depth and breadth with the unparalleled expertise in machine learning research we have here in the Department, to build a new type of research culture equipped to face the challenges and opportunities of the 21^st century.”

“We are delighted to support this far-reaching program at Cambridge,” said Stuart Feldman, Chief Scientist at Schmidt Futures. “We expect it to accelerate the use of new techniques across the broad range of research as well as enhance the AI knowledge of a large number of early-stage researchers at this superb university.”

One of the goals of the Accelerate Programme is to build a network of machine learning experts across the ̽��ֱ��. ̽��ֱ��PhD students and postdoctoral researchers who are trained through the Programme will share their knowledge with colleagues, building up capacity throughout Cambridge at scale.

Cambridge’s AI expertise has recently been expanded with the appointment of Dr Ferenc Huszár, who joins the ̽��ֱ�� from Twitter, Dr Carl Henrik Ek, who is joining from the ̽��ֱ�� of Bristol, and Dr Nicholas Lane who is joining from the ̽��ֱ�� of Oxford.

A new initiative at Cambridge will equip young researchers outside computer science with the skills they need to use machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to power their research.

This programme will help ensure that Cambridge continues to be a beacon for the very best young global researchers, and that we’re giving them the tools they need to thrive

Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Toope

Photo by Maxime VALCARCE on Unsplash

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Cambridge appoints first DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning

sc604 — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 23:09:13 +0000

Professor Lawrence joins the ̽��ֱ��’s Department of Computer Science and Technology from Amazon Cambridge, where he has been Director of Machine Learning for the past three years. He is also Professor of Machine Learning at the ̽��ֱ�� of Sheffield, where he will retain a visiting position.

Professor Lawrence’s research interests are in probabilistic models with applications in computational biology, personalised health and developing economies. At Sheffield, he led the ML@SITraN group, and helped to develop an Open Data Science Initiative an approach to data science designed to address societal needs.

“There’s so much expertise at Cambridge, in all aspects of systems and data: that’s why I’m so excited about joining,” Lawrence said. “AI and machine learning have the potential to reshape almost every aspect of our lives, but we desperately need more machine learning specialists, or else the promise of AI will not be realised.”

Professor Lawrence completed his PhD at Cambridge’s Department of Computer Science and Technology in 2000. He has previously held positions at Microsoft Research Cambridge and the ̽��ֱ�� of Manchester. In addition to his academic research, he hosts the Talking Machines podcast and is a contributor to the Guardian.

For the past five years, Professor Lawrence has been working with Data Science Africa, an organisation looking to connect machine learning researchers in Africa in order to solve problems on the ground. Professor Lawrence has an advisory role with the group, and says that many of the machine learning approaches used in Africa can have benefits in the developed world as well.

“With data and machine learning, you can have a more advanced data infrastructure in Africa than in some developed countries,” he said. “It’s rare in the UK or Europe that you’re asked to look at a machine learning problem from end to end, but you can do that in Africa, and it leads to better solutions. That’s the kind of approach I want to take to machine learning in my work at Cambridge.”

Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO, DeepMind, said: “I’m delighted to see Cambridge announce its first DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning. Professor Lawrence’s work in computational biology and his thoughtful advocacy for advancing technology in the developing world have been commendable. It’s an honour for DeepMind to be able to support the Department of Computer Science and Technology - from which I gained so much - in this way, and I look forward to seeing machine learning and AI flourish at Cambridge.”

“Neil will have a transformative effect on machine learning and artificial intelligence research at Cambridge,” said Professor Ann Copestake, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Technology. “He will build on our existing strengths in this area, and work with colleagues from across the ̽��ֱ�� to develop new solutions in ethical and sustainable ways.”

“It is vital we have a deep pool of talented scientists in universities and industry so the UK can continue to be a world leader in artificial intelligence,” said Minister for Digital Mark Warman. “This Government is investing millions into skills and talent training, including a number of Turing AI Fellowships in partnership with ̽��ֱ��Alan Turing Institute, and I welcome the appointment of Professor Neil Lawrence as the inaugural DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at Cambridge. This is one of a range of moves demonstrating the enormous strength of the UK’s research base.”

In addition to the gift to support the DeepMind Professorship, the company are also supporting four Master’s students from underrepresented groups wishing to study machine learning and computer science at Cambridge. ̽��ֱ��first students supported through this programme will be starting their studies this coming term.

Following an international search, Professor Neil Lawrence has been appointed as the inaugural DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at Cambridge, supported by a benefaction from the world-leading British AI company.

There’s so much expertise at Cambridge, in all aspects of systems and data: that’s why I’m so excited about joining

Neil Lawrence

Yes

Cambridge to appoint DeepMind Chair of Machine Learning

sc604 — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 09:24:16 +0000

̽��ֱ��new chair, which will be based at Cambridge’s Department of Computer Science and Technology, will build on the ̽��ֱ��’s strengths in computer science and engineering, and will be a focal point for the wide range of AI-related research taking place across the ̽��ֱ��. Cambridge researchers are designing systems that are cybersecure, model human reasoning, interact in affective ways with us, uniquely identify us by our face and give insights into our biological makeup.

̽��ֱ��first DeepMind Chair is expected to take up their position in October 2019, following an international search by the department. ̽��ֱ��chair will have full academic freedom to pursue research in the field of machine learning.

Cambridge has a long tradition of excellence in computer science, and is home to the largest technology cluster in Europe. ̽��ֱ��DeepMind Chair will build on this tradition by enhancing Cambridge’s capacity in AI-related research, and will contribute to the UK’s standing as a global hub in this rapidly-growing area.

̽��ֱ��gift is part of a wider DeepMind programme to encourage uptake of machine learning, to support the wider academic ecosystem. As part of these efforts, DeepMind will give a donation to support four Master’s students from underrepresented groups wishing to study machine learning and computer science at Cambridge. More information will be made available this coming autumn, for scholarships beginning in the 2019 academic year.

Demis Hassabis, DeepMind’s co-founder and CEO, completed his undergraduate degree in computer science at Queens’ College, Cambridge and received his PhD from UCL, while numerous other employees continue to give back to Cambridge through teaching and mentorship.

“I have many happy memories from my time as an undergraduate at Cambridge, so it’s now a real honour for DeepMind to be able to contribute back to the Department of Computer Science and Technology and support others through their studies,” said Hassabis. “My hope is that the DeepMind Chair in Machine Learning will help extend Cambridge’s already world-leading teaching and research capacities, and support further scientific breakthroughs towards the development of safe and ethical AI.”

“This gift will not only enhance Cambridge’s strengths in the field of AI research, but will benefit the UK more broadly, as AI has such transformative potential in so many aspects of our lives,” said Professor Stephen Toope, Vice-Chancellor of the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge. “Our researchers are not only developing these new technologies, but are working to ensure that they benefit humanity. This new Professorship is an important piece of that puzzle.”

“This new Professorship will build on our existing strengths and become an important focus for research and teaching in applied AI,” said Professor Ann Copestake, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Technology. “ ̽��ֱ��interdisciplinary environment in the ̽��ֱ�� will help the development of ethical and sustainable AI-based solutions to complex social, economic and environmental challenges.”

Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries Margot James MP said: “ ̽��ֱ��UK already has a global standing in AI and this new post at Cambridge is another string to our bow. Through our Industrial Strategy and £1bn AI sector deal, we are creating the right environment for the technology to be developed in the UK. I welcome any initiative which will help us achieve our aim of making sure it improves our economy and society.”

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge will establish a DeepMind Chair of Machine Learning, thanks to a benefaction from the world-leading British AI company.

This gift will not only enhance Cambridge’s strengths in the field of AI research, but will benefit the UK more broadly, as AI has such transformative potential in so many aspects of our lives.

Stephen Toope, Vice-Chancellor

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