On September 7, 2017, IBM and MIT signed an agreement to collaborate on the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) research. In a $240 million, 10-year investment both institutions will create the new MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, with focus on fundamental AI research in order to advance important aspects of AI applications: AI hardware, AI software, development of new algorithms to improve deep learning, and others.

MIT President L. Rafael Reif left, and John Kelly III, IBM senior vice president, Cognitive Solutions and Research shake hands at the conclusion of a signing Ceremony establishing the new MIT–IBM Watson AI Lab. Photo: Jake Belcher. Credit: MIT

The lab, located in the IBM Watson Health and Security headquarters in Kendall Square, close to the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA, will be co-chaired by Dario Gil, IBM Research vice president, and Anantha P. Chandrakasa, dean of MIT’s School of Engineering. When in full operation the lab will see more than 100 AI researchers from both organizations, professors, and students working to advance four key focus areas within the AI field.

• AI Algorithms. The purpose of this task is to create new algorithms to expand the capabilities of deep learning and reasoning.
• Physics of AI. To develop AI hardware materials to support new models of training. The hardware developed will also help to improve quantum devices by creating a connection between machine learning (AI) and quantum computing.
• Applications of AI to industries. New applications of AI that can be used by professionals to enhance industrial applications of AI will be developed. Industrial collaboration with the lab will be encouraged in fields such as health, cyber security, and others. In addition, the lab will produce innovations in the AI field so individuals, students, and others could launch new companies for AI commercialization.
• Advancing shared prosperity through AI. The researchers at the lab will explore strategies on how AI can provide economic and social benefits.

Both MIT--where the phrase “artificial intelligence” was coined by researchers in the 1950’s--and IBM–-a pioneer in artificial neural networks and the inventors of Watson--are looking forward to a fruitful collaboration.

“The field of artificial intelligence has experienced incredible growth and progress over the past decade. Yet today’s AI systems, as remarkable as they are, will require new innovations to tackle increasingly difficult real-world problems to improve our work and lives,” says John Kelly III, IBM senior vice president, Cognitive Solutions, and Research. “The extremely broad and deep technical capabilities and talent at MIT and IBM are unmatched, and will lead the field of AI for at least the next decade.”

“I am delighted by this new collaboration,” MIT President L. Rafael Reif says. “True breakthroughs are often the result of fresh thinking inspired by new kinds of research teams. The combined MIT and IBM talent dedicated to this new effort will bring formidable power to a field with the staggering potential to advance knowledge and help solve important challenges.”

This collaboration will bring new approaches to the exciting world of artificial intelligence for the benefit of business, universities and the general public to fight today’s incurable diseases, to improve classroom delivery, to help humans to clean the environment, and more.

For more information, visit the MIT–IBM Watson AI Lab website.