AI institute launched at University of New Brunswick

FREDERICTON – The UNB Research Institute in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RIDSAI) was launched at an event on August 22 that brought together members of the academic, industry and government communities to set the stage for the future of AI and data science in New Brunswick. Speakers included the Hon. Frank McKenna (pictured), former premier of New Brunswick and benefactor of UNB’s McKenna Institute; Erin Barrett, CEO of Eigen Innovations; and renowned AI expert and visionary, Dr. Kai-Fu Lee.

The institute will bring together scholars from across the university to discover, create and deliver fundamental knowledge and innovative solutions to the people and groups who need it most.

The institute will also be working with the artificial intelligence centre at Université de Moncton.

Mr. McKenna said he started prodding the university two years ago about creating AI capability.

He said the academic portion of the AI work will take place within the research institute, and the McKenna Institute, which he said helped raise money for the new institute, will have the job of ensuring that it gets into the hands of business people across New Brunswick.

“Literally every company now is going to be powered by AI. Generative AI is the most transformational technology we’ve seen, literally since the printing press,” he said.

“At UNB, we are dedicated to undertaking transformational research that addresses society’s grand challenges and to transferring the resulting knowledge and solutions to our communities,” said Dr. Paul J, Mazerolle, UNB president and vice-chancellor. “By supporting digital transformation through AI and data science leadership, we can advance our mission of building a stronger New Brunswick.”

The RIDSAI builds on UNB’s strength in data science and AI scholarship. Many of the university’s researchers are at the forefront of AI and data science inquiry, leveraging these advanced capabilities for everything from disease modeling to language instruction to gaming. Others are exploring the ethical, legal and political ramifications of this transformative technology, bringing that expertise to bear to ensure that AI works effectively and functions justly.

Dr. Paul Cook, the Institute’s interim director and associate professor of computer science, is a researcher who explores the intersection of AI and human language. He is eager to see partnerships flourish.

“The potential applications – and benefits – of data science and AI are limited only by our imagination,” he said. “By working collaboratively, as researchers, industry and community, we can combine our creativity and our expertise to benefit New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada and beyond.”

The RIDSAI has been born not just from the recognition of UNB’s research leadership but also from visionary minds that see its potential value and impact. Among those are Mr. McKenna, the benefactor of UNB’s McKenna Institute, an entrepreneurial centre driving digital transformation in New Brunswick, and various other donors, who together provided $3.5 million in financial support.

The Institute’s research collaborations are being facilitated by UNB’s Research and Innovation Partnerships group. Individuals interested in working with the Institute, or any of UNB’s other leading researchers, are invited to visit unb.ca/innovation for more information.