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News
New and renewed 麻豆区 CIFAR AI chairs turn focus on neglected research topics
Published: 13 February 2024
Professor David Ifeoluwa Adelani (School of Computer Science) is 麻豆区鈥檚 newest Chair, as Professors Joelle Pineau and Reihaneh Rabbany have their appointments renewed
The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) and the Qu茅bec Artificial Intelligence Institute (Mila) today announced the appointment of a new Canada CIFAR AI Chair as well as the renewal of two other such positions, all of whom are researchers from 麻豆区. In all, five new Chairs were announced, joining the more than 120 Chairs already appointed at Canada鈥檚 three National AI Institutes (Amii in Edmonton, the Vector Institute in Toronto and Mila).
鈥淲hile it is true that artificial intelligence carries certain risks, it is important to remember that this technology has enormous benefits to society,鈥� said Benoit Boulet, Associate Vice-President, Innovation + Partnerships, 麻豆区. 鈥淚 am proud that 麻豆区 researchers are leading the way by turning the focus to subject areas that deserve more attention.鈥�
鈥淭hese new and renewed Canada CIFAR AI Chairs bring extraordinary expertise across a range of strategic domains and applications within the rapidly moving field of AI,鈥� commented Elissa Strome, Executive Director of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy at CIFAR. 鈥淎s the science and application of AI continues to advance rapidly, the ability to attract and retain great researchers who are advancing diverse aspects of the field will be critical to Canada鈥檚 leadership in developing and deploying responsible AI. It鈥檚 a testament to Canada鈥檚 international reputation that these outstanding academics have chosen Canada to advance their careers and research, while training the next generation.鈥�
The Canada CIFAR AI Chairs program remains a cornerstone of the Pan鈥怌anadian AI Strategy, recruiting the world鈥檚 top AI researchers to Canada while retaining existing talent. The prestigious program provides university鈥恆ffiliated faculty with long鈥恡erm, dedicated funding to support cutting鈥恊dge research programs and help them train the next generation of AI leaders in Canada. The 麻豆区 researchers selected or renewed as Canada CIFAR AI Chairs are:
David Ifeoluwa Adelani is an incoming assistant professor in the School of Computer Science at 麻豆区. He advances natural language processing to develop machine learning models for under-resourced languages, such as African, Latin-American, and Indigenous languages. His group aims to improve access to information and enhance human-machine communication for these communities, for example in better automatic translation and text-to-speech services.
Joelle Pineau (renewal) has been leading the development of new methods, standards and practices for reproducibility in machine learning, to help ensure sound, reliable and trustworthy systems.
Reihaneh Rabbany (renewal) is focused on the creation of novel AI techniques to support efforts against human-trafficking, as well as methods to detect misinformation with the ultimate goal of improving the health and integrity of online societies.