26 March 2024
The National University of Singapore (NUS) has taken a significant stride towards leveraging the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) with the establishment of the NUS AI Institute (NAII). This newly formed institute, housed within the NUS School of Computing, commenced operations on March 25, 2024. The primary objective of NAII is to propel fundamental research, development, and application of AI technologies across various societal domains such as education, healthcare, finance, sustainability, logistics & manufacturing, among others.
One of the pivotal focuses of NAII is to explore methods for regulating AI to ensure transparency and accountability, addressing prevalent ethical concerns and risks associated with AI deployment. To bolster these efforts, NUS has committed substantial financial resources, including an additional S$20 million investment on top of S$8 million in secured external research grants, to support research initiatives in foundational AI research, policy & societal implications of AI, and real-world applications.
Recognising the importance of nurturing AI talent, NUS is geared towards training individuals not only in Singapore but also globally. Collaborating with various entities within NUS, comprehensive AI education programs are being developed for undergraduate and graduate students, professionals seeking continuing education, and policymakers. Additionally, NAII’s AI for Education research programme is working towards providing valuable learning opportunities such as internships for students.
NAII is poised to collaborate extensively with government agencies and industry partners to enhance AI capabilities across society. Strategic partnerships with industry giants like IBM and Google Cloud are set to drive forward research and development in AI, aiming to spur technological advancements and societal impacts.
Professor Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology), said “Through strategic partnerships with local and international experts from both academia and industry, the new AI Institute will be the University’s focal point to synergise our diverse range of capabilities and create a dynamic ecosystem, where sound fundamental research will drive cutting-edge advances in AI, and where interdisciplinary collaborations will translate research outcomes into innovative solutions with deep impacts on our society.”
Heading NAII as its Director is Professor Mohan Kankanhalli from the NUS School of Computing. Prof Kankanhalli envisions NAII as a global hub of AI thought leadership, bringing together experts from both within and outside NUS to tackle pressing societal issues through impactful research. Moreover, the institute aims to offer practical opportunities for NUS students interested in pursuing careers or entrepreneurial ventures in the burgeoning field of AI.
The establishment of NAII marks a pivotal moment in NUS’s commitment to harnessing AI for societal benefit. Through strategic partnerships, innovative research, and a focus on nurturing talent, NAII strives to position itself as a leading force in AI research and application, contributing to positive advancements in various domains and fostering a dynamic ecosystem of AI innovation.
