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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Amazon and UCLA announced a collaboration today establishing the Science Hub for Humanity and Artificial Intelligence, marking the technology company's first such alliance with a public university.
Based at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, the hub is designed to use academic research on artificial intelligence to develop solutions to pressing societal issues, according to the university.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Amazon on this effort to examine the future of artificial intelligence and its implications for our world,'' UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said in a statement. “The Science Hub for Humanity and Artificial Intelligence will advance AI-related discoveries and deepen our understanding of a discipline that is revolutionizing the way we use and understand modern technology.''
According to UCLA, Amazon will invest $1 million in the program in the first year, and the partnership could be renewed for as many as four additional years.
Marking the announcement, UCLA Samueli held “Amazon Science Day at UCLA'' on Friday, coinciding with the 52nd anniversary of the birth of the internet at the university.
“Amazon has long been at the forefront of AI breakthroughs, and we are incredibly excited to be working with them,'' Jayathi Murthy, dean of UCLA Samueli, said in a statement. “We will strive to harness the power of AI for the greater good and to provide myriad opportunities for students and faculty alike.''
The hub will also provide annual fellowships of $70,000 for Samueli doctoral students, who will have the change to work in paid internships at Amazon. It will also support community activities such as public symposiums and workshops.
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