New research institute for machine learning

Saturday, 9 December 2017

New research institute for machine learning

The University of Adelaide will establish a new multi-million dollar research institute to research the capacity of machines to learn, and to help deliver the so-called fourth industrial revolution for Australia.

The Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) will help lead South Australia through the economic transformation, directly supporting South Australian businesses to develop new products based on artificial intelligence and upskilling the workforce of the future.

Machine learning is a field of computer science that gives computers the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. Some of the applications of machine learning include driverless cars, speech recognition and effective web search. The fourth industrial revolution is described as the range of new technologies that are fusing the physical, digital and biological worlds.

The establishment of the new Institute will be supported by the South Australian Government with a $7.1 million investment, including $1.5 million of that prioritised for defence capability research.

The Institute will also support the cost-effective adoption of artificial intelligence by South Australian government agencies, providing solutions to improved productivity, efficiency and service delivery for South Australians. It will also attract globally dominant companies to South Australia through unique artificial intelligence-based opportunities.

“The Institute will leverage the existing capability of the University’s Australian Centre for Visual Technologies – the leading machine learning centre in Australia, and one of the top ten worldwide,” says Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, Professor Mike Brooks.

“This expertise will assist South Australia to navigate the changing global economy which is being transformed by artificial intelligence.

“The United States, Canada and the UK have all adopted a national strategy to fast-track the development of an artificial intelligence-enabled economy. China’s President has declared artificial intelligence and machine learning to be a top priority in the years ahead.

“Through the Institute, South Australia has the opportunity to lead the nation in the development and implementation of a strategy to create a vibrant ecosystem of high-tech businesses and highly productive workers.”

Director of the Australian Institute for Machine Learning, Professor Anton van den Hengel, says: “Artificial intelligence is projected to contribute up to US$15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030, more than the current output of China and India combined.

“The impact on productivity will be transformative – and we will be working closely with South Australian businesses to give them a global competitive advantage in being able to adapt to a world powered by artificial intelligence.”

The Australian Institute for Machine Learning will be the lead tenant in a new innovation incubator to be established in the Women’s Health Centre building on the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site.

 

Contact Details

Professor Anton van den Hengel
Email: anton.vandenhengel@adelaide.edu.au
Director
Australian Institute for Machine Learning
The University of Adelaide
Business: +61 (0)8 8313 5039
Mobile: +61 (0)414 268 662


Media Team
Email: media@adelaide.edu.au
Website: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/
The University of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 0814