CWI and other Amsterdam-based knowledge institutes have joined forces to invest 1 billion euros in the development of responsible AI technologies. The partners will set up research programmes, attract top scientists and educate students with state-of-the-art knowledge of AI. Also, collaborations with other institutes in the world, as well as public and private partners, will be expanded more quickly.
Leading knowledge institutes in Amsterdam commit themselves to investing 1 billion euros in artificial intelligence over the next ten years. This investment will be used to employ at least 800 researchers, train 5,000 bachelor and master students and PhD students, and provide 10,000 students with an AI minor. The coalition aims to develop (or assist in the development of) 100 spin-offs and 100 start-ups.
AI technology for people
Amsterdam has the largest science and innovation ecosystem in the Netherlands. It benefits from three decades of experience in AI research, education and innovation. Amsterdam’s knowledge institutes are focusing on related technological AI developments: machine learning, hybrid intelligence and explainable AI. The partners feel it is essential to develop better systems that focus on people and provide guarantees for responsible application. With those goals in mind, the partners named their collaboration AI technology for people.
Themes
The coalition’s approach focuses on three main themes, all of which have a major impact on both people’s daily lives and socio-economic development in the region. The selected main themes are: AI for Health, AI for Business Innovation and AI for Citizens.
International cooperation
The coalition has joined leading international initiatives such as ELLIS (European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems) and CLAIRE (Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe). On 10 December, ELLIS announced that the University of Amsterdam had been selected as a centre of excellence because of its proven scientific quality. The ELLIS network, consisting of European cities with outstanding institutes in the field of AI, will facilitate the exchange of researchers and students. As part of this initiative, the excellence Unit, located at the Amsterdam Science Park, will be able to appoint new researchers and new PhD students.
Partners in AI technology for people
The coalition consists of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (of which the Netherlands Cancer Institute is part), Amsterdam Economic Board, Amsterdam UMC, CWI, Municipality of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Sanquin, University of Amsterdam, and VU Amsterdam.
