Tel Aviv University, Google Israel Launch $1M AI Research Pact

• Tel Aviv University and Google Israel launch $1M, three-year AI research program.
• Program funds PhD research and core AI studies, including language models.
• Education initiatives support underprivileged students, developing future AI researchers.

Tel Aviv University (TAU) and Google Israel have initiated a new three-year initiative focused on promoting fundamental research in artificial intelligence, backed by $1 million in funding from Google.org.

The project expands on the current partnership between the two organizations and will concentrate on essential AI areas including language models, algorithmic efficiency, and privacy-oriented technologies.

The initiative will be directed by the Center for AI & Data Science at TAU, overseen by Prof. Yishay Mansour of the Blavatnik School of Computer Science and AI. It will offer research funding and scholarships for graduate students, focusing specifically on assisting PhD candidates engaged in core AI research fields.

The event at Tel Aviv University, which marked the launch, was attended by prominent leaders from academia and industry, including TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat and Google Vice President and Head of Google Research Prof. Yossi Matias. Prof. Porat stated that the partnership exemplifies TAU’s approach of merging academic distinction with social influence, emphasizing that the initiative “provides scholarships for PhD candidates” and assistance for students from Israel’s marginalized social and geographic areas.

In addition to research funding, the initiative prioritizes education significantly. New initiatives feature an honors pathway for graduate students in AI and the “BITS of AI” program for adolescents from underprivileged communities, conducted in collaboration with TAU’s Youth University. These initiatives seek to expand access to advanced AI training and develop the upcoming generation of researchers.

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Prof. Yossi Matias emphasized the significance of cooperation between academia and industry, stating that “research and academic excellence are more important than ever” and that uniting various fields can result in significant progress in science and technology.

Prof. Mansour stated that the program tackles essential obstacles in comprehending AI’s swift advancement, especially large language models, while also addressing wider societal concerns like privacy. Google Vice President Prof. Avinatan Hassidim stated that the collaboration would assist in “nurturing Israel's next generation of researchers and developers” and aid in addressing intricate technological issues in the years ahead.