MIT Announces $ 1 Billion Investment for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Computing



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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is injecting $ 1 billion into a new center to study "global opportunities and challenges presented by the dominance of computing and the rise of artificial intelligence," said Monday l & # 39; school.

In a statement, MIT said that the computer college Stephen A. Schwarzman of MIT will open its doors in September 2019 as an "interdisciplinary hub for work in computer science, artificial intelligence, computer science, in the fields Related ".

The $ 350 million fundamental gift from Schwarzman, head of investment firm Blackstone, will launch the project.

In addition to Schwarzman's donation, MIT has collected an additional $ 300 million for the college that bears his name. Fundraising was "actively sought" to mobilize the $ 1 billion needed to create a learning center, the statement said.

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"The College's focus on ethics is important to me because we will never realize the full potential of these advances if they are not guided by a shared understanding of their moral implications for society," Schwarzman said. in a statement. "Advances in computer science – and AI in particular – have an increasing power to change the social fabric. But if they are not controlled, these technologies could ultimately hurt more people than they do. We must do everything in our power to ensure that all Americans can participate in the development of Amnesty International. Universities are best placed to create an environment in which everyone can embrace – and not fear – future transformations. "

According to MIT, Schwarzman College will be installed in a "new building" on campus and will allow "the future of computer and AI to forge from information from all other disciplines ".

The initiative "will teach students the basics of computer science in a broad sense and offer integrated programs designed to satisfy the keen interest of majors who combine computer science with other disciplines and to learn how machine learning and science data can be applied to a variety of domains. , Says the release.

L. Rafael Reif, President of MIT, praised Schwarzman College as an institution that will combine state-of-the-art technical training with solid ethics training.

"As IT redefines our world, MIT intends to contribute to its success for the benefit of all," Reif said in a statement. "Within the scope of this challenge, we are reshaping MIT. The MIT Schwarzman College of Computing will be both a global center for research and teaching in computer science and an intellectual foundry dedicated to powerful new AI tools. It is equally important that the College allow students and researchers from all disciplines to use computer science and AI to advance their disciplines and vice versa, as well as to reflect critical to the human impact of their work. With vision and generosity out of the ordinary, Schwarzman puts together a bold program that will lead to a better world. I am deeply grateful for his commitment to our shared vision. "

Schwarzman added that MIT is the ideal venue for this innovative initiative.

"As one of the world leaders in technological innovation, MIT has the right expertise and values ​​to serve as a" true north "in finding urgently needed solutions," he said. -he declares. "With the ability to bring together the best minds in artificial intelligence research, development and ethics, higher education is uniquely positioned to become the incubator for addressing these same way as the private and public sectors. We hope this ambitious initiative will spur our government to invest heavily in AI to enable the United States to play a leading role in shaping the future of these powerful and transformative technologies. "

You can contact Travis Andersen at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TAGlobe.

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