Google Israel and Tel Aviv University (TAU) have unveiled a significant three-year programme aimed at advancing research in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. This collaborative initiative will explore key areas such as large language models, AI for privacy, and improving algorithmic efficiency, with a funding commitment of approximately £750,000 from Google’s philanthropic arm.
The project will be spearheaded by the university’s Centre for AI and Data Science, under the leadership of Professor Yishay Mansour, who is also affiliated with the Blavatnik School of Computer Science and AI. The partnership builds upon a five-year relationship between the two institutions, which previously focused on interdisciplinary AI collaborations that connected researchers across various fields.
Professor Ariel Porat, President of Tel Aviv University, highlighted the programme’s focus on core AI areas and the inclusion of scholarships for PhD students. He emphasized the initiative’s commitment to supporting students from Israel’s periphery, aiming to provide opportunities for those who may not have had the same access as their peers.
“One of our central challenges is developing theories that explain AI’s meteoric success,” Professor Mansour explained. “A deep understanding of the processes involved in training large language models can open new directions and contribute to significant improvements in the algorithmic efficiency of learning processes.”
The partnership also underscores the importance of collaboration between academia and industry. Yossi Matias, Vice President of Engineering and Research at Google and head of Google Research, expressed his belief in the mutual benefits that arise when exceptional academic research intersects with technological innovation. “When researchers from different disciplines and different approaches come together, meaningful advances emerge,” Matias stated.
Over the past three years, Google has supported TAU’s ExactShe programme, led by Professor Tova Milo, Dean of the Faculty of Exact Sciences. This initiative aims to foster a supportive community for women in research, aligning with broader efforts to promote diversity within the academic landscape.
The newly launched programme not only aims to advance AI research but also seeks to empower the next generation of scholars, offering a platform for groundbreaking discoveries in technology and data science. As this collaboration unfolds, it has the potential to make significant contributions to the future of AI and its applications across various sectors.
