Eric and Wendy Schmidt back Cambridge University effort to equip researchers with AI skills

Schmidt Futures, the philanthropic foundation set up by billionaires Eric and Wendy Schmidt, is funding a new program at the University of Cambridge that's designed to equip young researchers with machine learning and artificial intelligence skills that have the potential to accelerate their research. The initiative -- known as the Accelerate Program for Scientific Discovery -- will initially be aimed at researchers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. However, it will eventually be available for those studying arts, humanities and social science. Some 32 PhD students will receive machine-learning training through the program in the first year, the university said, adding that the number will rise to 160 over five years. The aim is to build a network of machine-learning experts across the university.