Google shows love for AI with new centre in China
Google has unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI) centre in China as it searches out humans with machine learning (ML) talent.
Called the Google AI China Centre, its first such centre in Asia, it joins other AI research groups; including in New York, Toronto, London and Zurich. Naturally, it’s not just for fintech, but potential innovations will impact our corner of the world.
Fei-Fei Li, chief scientist AI/ML, Google Cloud, says Chinese authors contributed 43% of all content in the top 100 AI journals in 2015 – and like many other firms, Google recognises the potential in the country.
Li says: “I believe AI and its benefits have no borders. Whether a breakthrough occurs in Silicon Valley, Beijing or anywhere else, it has the potential to make everyone’s life better for the entire world.”
The centre will consist of a team of AI researchers in Beijing, supported by Google China’s engineering teams. It will be working to build the team in the months ahead and Li is calling out for applicants.
Besides publishing its own work, the centre will also support research by funding and sponsoring AI conferences and workshops.
Li adds: “Humanity is going through a huge transformation thanks to the phenomenal growth of computing and digitisation. In just a few years, automatic image classification in photo apps has become a standard feature. And we’re seeing rapid adoption of natural language as an interface with voice assistants like Google Home.”
