Scale Facilitation gives Deakin $10m for AI research

ARTIFICIAL intelligence research at one of Geelong’s Deakin University campuses will take a leap forward through a $10 million commitment from Scale Facilitation.

The business networking and business financing company will work with Deakin’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A2I2) to set up a colaborative AI and machine learning (ML) CoLab at A2I2 and develop next-generation AI technologies.

Through the $10 million commitment, distributed over five years, researchers at the Scale Facilitation CoLab at A2I2 will collaborate with A2I2 in translation projects with particular focus on cutting edge AI and ML theory and the development of novel translatory solutions.

Scale Facilitation chose A2I2 for the commitment because of A2I2’s cutting-edge research in and translation of AI and ML capability in fundamental and translatory AI, and announced the financial contribution during the (GMC) 25th Anniversary Celebration and Distinguished Service to Manufacturing Awards, held on Thursday last week.

“Deakin’s A2I2 carries out outstanding, visionary research,” Scale Facilitation chief executive officer and founder David A. Collard said.

“Collaborating with top R&D teams, like A2I2, is part of our Scale Facilitation DNA and our commitment to fostering innovation.”A2I2 welcomed the funding.

“We are delighted for this CoLab to be established as we will be able to pursue and solve deep AI problems in both theory and practice,” A2I2 co- director Professor Svetha Venkatesh said.

A2I2 comprises a team of more than 150 AI researchers and software engineers, located at Deakin’s campuses in Waurn Ponds and Burwood. Melbourne and Geelong.

The team has deep expertise in sample efficient AI in domains including reinforcement learning and human machine teaming, and deep learning.

A2I2 pitches the benefits of its research to industry in two ways: faster, cheaper optimisation of industrial and scientific processes; and accelerated creativity in industrial design, and builds these into proof of concepts and concept demonstrators.

The $10 million commitment is Scale Facilitation’s lastest investment in the Geelong region, which also includes the establishment of a large-scale lithium-ion battery facility being built at Avalon by Recharge Industries, a Geelong-based company in its portfolio.

With its heardquarters in New York and an office in North Geelong, Scale Facilitation is a business networking and financing company that aims to remove barriers to businesses commercialising their products, and facilitates meetings between innovators and strategic partners.