New home for world-leading innovation on Lot Fourteen

The University of Adelaide’s world-leading Australian Institute for Machine Learning – the largest research group of its kind in the nation – has today officially opened its new research and learning space at Adelaide’s innovation precinct, Lot Fourteen.

The Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) is a key research institution in machine learning globally, ranked number one in the world for three key areas of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Machine learning is a field of computer science that gives computers the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. AIML researchers are applying machine learning to agriculture, medical imaging, manufacturing, mining operations, and movie making among many others.

“Our Institute is making an important national and international contribution to pushing the boundaries of what machine learning can do, and how that can be applied to almost every aspect of our lives,” said Professor Anton van den Hengel, Director of AIML at the University of Adelaide.

“Artificial intelligence and machine learning are already impacting on industries as diverse as agriculture, medicine, transport, space, defence, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing, and we aim to ensure South Australia remains at the forefront.

“The University’s Australian Institute for Machine Learning is a deep partnership between the University of Adelaide, State Government of SA, and industry partners such as Lockheed Martin. The Institute is yet another example of the power of universities, governments and industry to unlock the potential of their collective know-how and vision."Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen

“The support of the South Australian Government in setting up our Institute has been instrumental to our growth and being recognised as one of the best machine learning research groups in the world.

“Over the last two years, we have engaged with more than 100 organisations to help them enter into the new AI-enabled global economy. We are working with 10 South Australian SMEs to develop world class AI products to sell to the world.”

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen AO said: “The University’s Australian Institute for Machine Learning is a deep partnership between the University of Adelaide, State Government of SA, and industry partners such as Lockheed Martin. The Institute is yet another example of the power of universities, governments and industry to unlock the potential of their collective know-how and vision.

“Innovation precincts bring together research and education with government and industry. At Lot Fourteen, we are seeing the evolution of a complex, high-tech ecosystem, where the co-location of all these partners is already driving new knowledge and new ways of using that knowledge. This will result in the creation of new technologies and industries for our state across a range of sectors. The University is pleased that its Australian Institute for Machine Learning is an important part of this ecosystem.”

Premier of South Australia the Hon. Steven Marshall said: “These cutting edge research projects will enable us to harness for the first time, rich data and insights, to inform new ideas about how we implement our strong vision for South Australia.

“Furthermore, it will bolster South Australia’s entrepreneurial activity across a range of industries from defence to tourism, providing us with new tools and capabilities to ensure that this state remains at the forefront of global innovation and enterprise."

Since its inception in 2017, AIML has forged a founding partnership with Lockheed Martin, with Lockheed staff based within AIML, signed agreements with MIT to develop a Living Labs program with UniSA and State Government, and an agreement with Carnegie Mellon University to give postgraduates from the University of Adelaide a chance to experience international research opportunities.

The opening of AIML on Lot Fourteen included demonstrations of drones programmed to operate autonomously, such as could be used by farmers for inspecting their properties, and an AI-based traffic management system that could predict traffic flow issues.

More information about the Australian Institute for Machine Learning: adelaide.edu.au/aiml