University of Toronto has announced the establishment of the Hinton Chair in Artificial Intelligence, backed by a $10 million contribution from Google, which has been matched by an additional $10 million from the university itself. This initiative aims to bolster Toronto’s position as a leading hub for global AI research while reflecting the growing investments from educational institutions and industry partners in cultivating long-term AI talent.
The Hinton Chair in Artificial Intelligence is named in honor of Geoffrey Hinton, University Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto and a Nobel laureate whose groundbreaking work forms the foundation of modern artificial intelligence. This endowed role is intended to facilitate the recruitment and retention of a globally recognized AI researcher dedicated to fundamental, exploratory work in the field.
Melanie A. Woodin, president of the University of Toronto, expressed her gratitude to Google for the significant investment, stating, “This new chair will enable us to build on Geoff Hinton’s historic contributions in artificial intelligence and to advance our record of transformational research in fields of crucial importance to the world.” This chair marks the first appointment within the university’s newly launched Third-Century Chairs program, a strategic effort aimed at attracting senior research leaders amid escalating global competition for AI expertise.
With Google’s funding, the total endowment for the Hinton Chair reaches $20 million, positioning it among the best-supported research roles within the university. This financial commitment not only ensures long-term backing for research activities but also provides additional resources to explore new lines of inquiry.
Jeff Dean, chief scientist at Google DeepMind and Google Research, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, saying, “Google is proud to partner with the University of Toronto in establishing this endowed chair, recognizing the extraordinary impact of Geoff Hinton, whose Nobel Prize-winning work laid the foundation for modern artificial intelligence. This chair will empower world-class academic scholars to accelerate breakthrough innovations and drive responsible research that shapes a future where AI serves a common good.”
Hinton, who joined the University of Toronto in 1987 and spent a decade at Google, is credited with pioneering research on artificial neural networks, including groundbreaking work on backpropagation and deep learning, which has facilitated the widespread adoption of AI in various industries. Reflecting on the establishment of the chair, Hinton remarked, “I am grateful for having been able to pursue my research at the University of Toronto, which afforded me the time and resources to develop the ideas that would eventually grow into the success of neural nets. I am encouraged that the Hinton Chair in Artificial Intelligence will support the next generation of AI research in the same vein, allowing ideas of great promise to germinate for the benefit of all humanity.”
The Hinton Chair will be situated in the university’s department of computer science and is expected to contribute to teaching, student training, and interdisciplinary research collaboration. University officials assert that this role aligns with national priorities to enhance Canada’s research capacity, following a recent federal commitment of $1.7 billion aimed at attracting top global research talent.
Stephen Wright, interim dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science, emphasized the potential impact of the new role, stating, “It’s thrilling to consider the astonishing possibilities of welcoming a globally leading AI researcher into this setting. At the department of computer science, the chair-holder will be surrounded by a remarkable concentration of scientific knowledge and creative skills, and a deep, proven track record of research excellence.”
The University of Toronto hosts several AI-focused research initiatives and maintains a close partnership with the Vector Institute, co-founded by Hinton. The institution has also been instrumental in fostering the growth of AI startups across various sectors, including healthcare, transportation, and life sciences, further solidifying its role as a pivotal player in Canada’s evolving AI ecosystem. This strategic move underscores the university’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of AI innovation as global demand for expertise continues to surge.
See also
Good Tokens Expands Blockchain and AI Solutions to Enhance Global Humanitarian Impact
Deepfake Crisis: Tech Giants’ Failures Allow AI Doppelgangers to Thrive—Varoufakis Warns
Meta’s AI Lab Loses VP Jitendra Malik as Leadership Exodus Intensifies Amid Strategy Shift
Tuba Joins NVIDIA Inception to Transform AI-Driven Healthcare Benefits Management
Gold Surges 2% and Dollar Strengthens as AI-Driven Tech Stocks Soar Amid Venezuela Turmoil
