About
The NUS Artificial Intelligence Institute, established on 25 March 2024, brings together AI researchers across the whole of NUS. It encompasses basic and applied research in AI along with research into societal implications of AI. The foundational research combined with deep domain expertise aims to harness AI for public good.
Vision
To be a Global Node of AI Thought Leadership
Mission
To establish a novel AI ecosystem that focuses on research excellence that empowers individuals, communities, and businesses, and fosters entrepreneurship, for the public good in Singapore and in the World.
History
NUS School of Computing has a long and rich history of AI research. Ever since its inception in 1975, it has always had many professors conducting fundamental research in AI. Over the years, many of them have established strong connections with government agencies, industry and international partners on AI projects, such as SELENA+, NExT++ and N-CRiPT. Singapore Eye Lesion Analyser (SELENA+) developed in partnership with Singapore National Eye Centre, analyses retinal photographs for early detection of eye conditions. NUS-Tsinghua-Southampton Centre for Extreme Search (NExT++) has made fundamental contributions in AI for search and recommendation while NUS Centre for Research in Privacy Technologies (N-CRiPT) has focused on “Privacy in AI” and “AI for Privacy”.
In 2022, NUS Computing consolidated its AI research via the NUS AI Lab – NUSAIL. Its primary focus has been in core AI research with some domain AI activity. It is now evident that recent advances in AI will impact all aspects of society so the domain areas need to be covered comprehensively and they all should closely interact with core AI. The establishment of the NUS AI Institute in 2024 is yet another milestone in the long history of AI Research at NUS where the school-level lab has been substantially expanded into the university level institute where it will encompass both core AI research and domain AI research by involving all the faculties and schools.
Message from the Director
Professor Mohan Kankanhalli
Director, NUS Artificial Intelligence Institute
Provost’s Chair Professor of Computer Science
Artificial Intelligence (AI) research over the last few years has made unprecedented advancements that promise to bring significant benefits to society. From healthcare to finance, logistics to manufacturing, sustainability to science, the application potential of AI is immense as well as transformative.
The NUS AI Institute brings together faculty members from across the university with a diversity of experience and expertise to conduct fundamental research in AI with the common purpose of expanding the frontiers of what is possible. NUS, a community-founded institution, has always strived to give back to the community. The NUS AI Institute deeply embodies this spirit and it specifically aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence for the betterment of society. Beyond technological innovations, it aims to explore the use of AI to improve lives, empower communities, and create a better future for all. This is why the institute will also study the policy and societal implications of AI in order to mitigate its risks and ethical concerns in order to realize its benefits.
At the same time, the AI institute will advance the educational mission of NUS by nurturing the next generation of talent, be it researchers, engineers, business leaders or policy-makers.
We invite you to join us on this exciting journey. We welcome members from universities, industry, government organizations and foundations to explore with us as collaborators or partners; or to financially support the institute. Together, we can contribute to this collective endeavor of realizing the potential of AI for greater good.
