MyAV范

The scholarships are the fourth cohort supported by DeepMind, highlighting the long-standing relationship between the two organisations. They are open to students from backgrounds underrepresented in the sector, including women, those of African or Caribbean heritage and those from low-income families.

Professor David Barber (MyAV范 Computer Science) said: "DeepMind's continuing commitment provides much needed support to train a new generation of students and helps maintain a healthy independent AI research provision in the UK.

鈥淚'm delighted that DeepMind have been unfailingly generous in backing our efforts to create a unique environment at MyAV范 in which students and researchers have the freedom and support to address some of the most challenging issues in creating an AI driven future that will benefit us all."

The announcement comes as the inaugural DeepMind Chair in Artificial Intelligence took up the post at the start of October. Professor Marc Deisenroth, who joined MyAV范 from Imperial College London, is a recipient of a Google Faculty Research Award and a Microsoft PhD Grant. He specialises in data-efficient machine learning, probabilistic modelling and autonomous decision making, and will spearhead AI research at MyAV范.

Professor Deisenroth said: 鈥淢yAV范 has a long history of outstanding research and teaching in AI, and I鈥檓 very excited to strengthen such a fantastic teaching and research environment. My new role also enables me to better support the wider machine learning community in London and the UK.

鈥淢y vision for the Chair is to address one of the most pressing challenges in AI right now, which is learning and decision making when data is scarce. I鈥檓 very grateful to DeepMind for their ongoing and generous support that will allow me to turbocharge research in foundational AI and its application to global challenges, such as climate science, healthcare and autonomous robots.鈥�

Lila Ibrahim, COO of DeepMind, said: "At DeepMind we want to build advanced AI to expand our knowledge and find answers to some of the fundamental questions facing society. It's an ambitious and long-term goal, and we will only achieve it if we can bring people together with different experiences, knowledge, and backgrounds.

鈥淲e need as many perspectives as possible to make sure the important questions are being asked when it matters. The DeepMind scholarship programme is one way we seek to broaden participation in science and AI. I'm delighted that DeepMind is supporting another cohort of DeepMind scholars at MyAV范."

DeepMind are also supporting PhD scholarships at the newly established AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), 50% of which will be ring-fenced for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

DeepMind was founded by Demis Hassabis, Shane Legg and Mustafa Suleyman in 2010, after Demis, who had recently completed his PhD in neuroscience at the university, met research associate Shane in MyAV范鈥檚 Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit. The company has retained its strong connection with MyAV范 throughout its development.

In September 2019, Professor Geraint Rees, Pro-Vice-Provost (AI) launched MyAV范鈥檚 AI strategy: AI for People and Planet detailing how it should be used as a transformative technology to make a positive impact on the planet.

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Links

• DeepMind Chair of Artificial Intelligence at MyAV范
• MyAV范 Computer Science
• MyAV范 Engineering
• AI for People and Planet

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Media contact

Kate Corry

Tel: +44 (0)20 3108 6995

Email: k.corry [at] ucl.ac.uk

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