Google bolsters artificial intelligence efforts, partners with Oxford

Monday, 27 October 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Google Inc is expanding its artificial intelligence initiative, hiring more than half a dozen leading academics and experts in the field and announcing a partnership with Oxford University to ‘accelerate’ its efforts. Google will make a ‘substantial contribution’ to establish a research partnership with Oxford’s computer science and engineering departments, the company said on Thursday regarding its work to develop the intelligence of machines and software, often to emulate human-like intelligence. Google did not provide any financial details about the partnership, saying only in a post on its blog that it will include a program of student internships and a series of joint lectures and workshops ‘to share knowledge and expertise’. Google, which is based in Mountain View, California, is building up its artificial intelligence capabilities as it strives to maintain its dominance in the Internet search market and to develop new products such as robotics and self-driving cars. In January Google acquired artificial intelligence company Deep Mind for $ 400 million according to media reports. The new hires will be joining Google’s Deep Mind team, including three artificial intelligence experts whose work has focused on improving computer visual recognition systems. Among that team is Oxford Professor Andrew Zisserman, a three-time winner of the Marr Prize for computer vision. The four founders of Dark Blue Labs will also be joining Google where they will be will be leading efforts to help machines ‘better understand what users are saying to them’. Google said that three of the professors will hold joint appointments at Oxford, continuing to work part time at the university.

Google launches new email service dubbed “Inbox”

Reuters: Google Inc launched an email service called “Inbox” last week that will better organise emails and display information such as appointments, flight bookings and package deliveries in a more user-friendly way. Google said it was sending out invitations to selected Gmail users to try out the new service. Users can also email the company at [email protected] to get an invitation. For now the new service is being provided alongside Gmail, which was launched in 2004. It will be available on the Web as well as on Android smartphones and iPhones. “Inbox is by the same people who brought you Gmail, but it’s not Gmail: it’s a completely different type of inbox, designed to focus on what really matters,” the company said in a blog post. Google said Inbox displays real-time updates to emails – for example, showing the delivery status of items bought online. It also shows reminders in a more accessible way that allows users to more easily keep track of chores and appointments. The company said the new application also enhances features that are already available in Gmail that allow users to view purchases and bank account statements grouped together.