Toyota is investing $25 million to create a new artificial intelligence research center at Stanford University to develop AI technologies, including self-driving cars.
Toyota is also funding a parallel research center to advance self-driving car technology, and has hired Gill Pratt, a top robotics official from the military s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
The Stanford School of Engineering has a strong track record of leading innovation in artificial intelligence, said Persis Drell, dean of Stanford School of Engineering, in a statement. This support will enable us to expand our research in human-centered AI and innovate solutions to some of the world s most pressing challenges.
The new AI center will be directed by Fei-Fei Li, an associate professor of computer science at Stanford.
AI-assisted driving is a perfect platform for advancing fundamental human-centric artificial intelligence research while also producing practical applications, she said in a statement. Autonomous driving provides a scenario where AI can deliver smart tools for assistance in decision making and planning to human drivers.
Above: Fei-Fei Li, associate professor of computer science and director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab, will direct the new SAIL-Toyota Center for AI Research. (Photo: Linda A. Cicero / Stanford News Service)
