Imperial College London announces launch of new Frontier AI Lab in partnership with Thomson Reuters
Imperial College London and technology conglomerate Thomson Reuters have announced a new partnership, creating the Frontier AI Research Lab.
Based at Imperial College London, the lab will pursue academic research in AI with a focus on foundational challenges in safety and reliability.
The five year partnership also includes plans to train large-scale foundation models with Thomson Reuters.
Professor Mary Ryan, Vice Provost for Research and Enterprise at Imperial College London, comments: “This collaboration gives our researchers the space and support to explore fundamental questions about how AI can and should work for society. Progress in this area depends on rigorous science, open inquiry and strong partnerships – ideals exemplified by the approach this lab will take.”
“We are only beginning to understand the transformative impact this technology will have on all aspects of society,” adds Dr Jonathan Richard Schwarz, Head of AI Research at Thomson Reuters, who will join Imperial as a Visiting Professor. “Our vision is a unique research space where foundational algorithms are developed and made available to world experts, advancing the transparency, verifiability and trustworthiness in which these changes are driving impact in the world.”
The lab will host more than a dozen PhD students who will work alongside Thomson Reuters research scientists, accessing Imperial’s high-performance computing cluster.
“With dedicated space, a focused PhD cohort, and high-quality computing infrastructure and support, our researchers will be empowered to push the boundaries of AI and deliver scientific advances that truly matter,” adds Professor Alessandra Russo, Professor in Applied Computational Logic at the Department of Computing and Convening Co-director of the School of Convergence Science, Human and Artificial Intelligence.
“Our collaboration with Thomson Reuters anchors that work in real-world use cases, ensuring that breakthroughs translate into meaningful societal benefit. There is huge potential to unlock creative approaches to a wide range of roles and sectors, enabling AI to strengthen society, energise traditional industries, and create new roles and opportunities across the economy.”
