Technology

Posted on May 23, 2018 by staff

Tech giant opens new AI lab in UK

Technology

Samsung Electronics UK has announced the opening of a new artificial intelligence research lab in Cambridge.

The tech giant said the base, which will be chaired by Professor Andrew Blake, former director of Microsoft’s Cambridge Laboratory, will strengthen its AI capabilities and explore the potential of ‘user-centric AI’.

The institute opens up new opportunities for fundamental research in AI and enables greater cooperation with the UK’s academic community on the development of advanced technologies.

“This new artificial intelligence research centre in Cambridge is one of the key milestones in the long-term strategy of the company,” said Seunghwan Cho, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics.

In its announcement, Samsung said Internet of Things (IoT) devices embedded with AI are set to generate a “vast array of data that can provide fascinating insights about our lives, analysing complex usage patterns and seamlessly enabling us to take advantage of intelligent services optimised for our own personal preferences and behaviours”.

The company added it is well-positioned to bring this innovative user-centric AI to market.

It plans to expand its R&D workforce in the UK, including AI experts, from the current 250 to 400 in the near future.

Cho added: “In this new world of connected devices and services based on AI, Samsung’s vision is to help people do their jobs and live their lives better.

“We enable a physical connection between people and information, finding new ways of working together to develop more human-centred technology that serves the needs of users first.”

Professor Andrew Blake said: “The centre’s research will help us to better understand human behaviour, exploring areas like emotion recognition, and further expand the boundaries of user-centric communication to develop AI technologies that ultimately improve people’s lives.”

Prime Minister Theresa May described the opening of Samsung’s new AI centre in Cambridge as a “vote of confidence in the UK as a world leader in artificial intelligence”, adding that it will create high-paying, high-skilled jobs.