Google, TAU Launch Joint ‘AI For Social Good’ Program

US tech giant Google and Israel’s Tel Aviv University (TAU) have launched a program that promotes multidiscplinary research and collaborations in data science and artificial intelligence in an effort to advance humanity by addressing focal social issues and the global agenda.

The program, which will run for three years, was launched within the framework of TAD, the TAU Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, established in February and headed by Prof. Meir Feder of the Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering.

Twenty-seven projects led by TAU researchers submitted proposals that addressed the “AI for Social Good” theme. Ten of these projects have already been selected to receive grants. Seven of the projects will receive grants supported by Google. The grant winners include researchers in a wide range of disciplines ranging from Zoology to Electrical Engineering to Biblical Studies and Anthropology.

“We believe that AI researchers can benefit significantly from collaborations with researchers in the social sciences and humanities, just as the latter benefit from new developments in AI. I am very happy about our partnership with Google. I look forward to seeing its fruits and hope to expand it further in the future,” TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat said at the ceremony.

Prof. Meir Feder emphasized that “the AI revolution is expected to impact every aspect of our lives, from drug development and data-based personalized medicine, to defense systems, financial systems, scientific discoveries, robotics, autonomous systems and social issues. In addition, it is very important to train human capital in this area, and therefore the Center will provide every student at TAU with a basic AI education.

“TAU is special in having researchers who specialize in basic science and AI, as well as researchers who apply AI in the humanities and social sciences. We are happy that Google has decided to join forces with TAU in this important matter. The collaboration with Google will enable utilization of the power of AI and Data Science, channeling it toward the benefit of society,” he added.

“AI already has great impact in various areas. We are delighted for this opportunity to harness the power of AI for social good and for science,” said Professor Yossi Matias, VP at Google and Managing Director of Google Center in Israel.

“Google is especially happy about its work on beneficial and even lifesaving products, such as the worldwide project for accurate flood forecasting, a technology enabling the hearing-impaired to conduct phone conversations, and studies on the use of AI to enhance disease diagnosis,” Matias said. 

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