Amazon and MIT establish Science Hub

Amazon and MIT today announced the establishment of the Science Hub, a collaboration that will focus on areas of mutual interest, beginning with artificial intelligence and robotics in the first year. To get the hub started, Amazon will provide gift and sponsored research funding over the next five years to support research and academic fellowships on campus. The primary goals of the hub are to ensure the benefits of AI and robotics innovations are shared broadly -- both through education and by advancing research -- and to broaden participation in the research from diverse, interdisciplinary scholars, and other innovators. "AI and robotics have an enormous impact on every aspect of our lives, fundamentally changing how we work, learn, access resources and services, and connect to one another -- so it's critical we conduct research that advances the field in ways that are responsible, effective, and beneficial to society," said Aude Oliva, a senior research scientist and director of strategic industry engagement in the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. "We take an expansive view of AI and robotics to include expertise from across all five of the Institute's schools. We're excited by the potential of collaborations with industry leaders who bring their insights to the research, want to support the next generation of talent, and are best positioned to implement what is learned."