indica News Bureau-
Google has announced the setting up of Google Research India, an artificial intelligence research team in Bangalore, Karnataka, that will focus on advancing computer science and applying AI research to solve big problems in healthcare, agriculture and education, among other areas.
The company said artificial intelligence is opening up the next phase of the technology revolution and India, with its world-class engineering talent, strong computer science programs and entrepreneurial drive, has the potential to lead the way in using this to tackle big challenges.
In fact, there are already many examples of this happening in India, from detecting diabetic eye disease to improving flood forecasting and teaching kids to read.
To take this trend further, Google has set up the Google Research India lab which will focus on two pillars: advancing fundamental computer science and AI research by building a strong team and partnering with the research community across the country, and applying this research to tackle big problems in core areas.
Google Research India will be headed by Manish Gupta, computer scientist and a fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery with a background in deep learning across video analysis and education, compilers and computer systems. He will be joined by Professor Milind Tambe from Harvard University. As director of AI for Social Good. Tambe will build a research program around the use of artificial intelligence to tackle big problems.
The lab in Bangalore will be part of and support Google’s global network of researchers, participating in conferences, publishing research in scientific papers, and collaborating closely with one another. It will also explore partnerships with India’s scientific community and academic institutions to help train talent and support collaborative programs, tools and resources.
“Starting Google Research India is an important step for us, and for me personally,” Google’s vice-president Jay Yagnik said in a statement. “As someone who grew up in India, studied at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, and learned so much from the community there, I’m grateful that we now have the opportunity to help advance research and play a part in building the AI community in India.”
