Samsung Opens AI Research Center In NYC To Further Incubate Future Robot Overlords
Just a few weeks ago, Samsung said it was investing $22 billion into several breakthrough technologies over the course of the next three years, including research efforts into artificial intelligence (AI). We're now seeing where some of that money is going—Samsung announced it is building a new AI research center in New York City "to strengthen its AI capabilities."
This will bring the number of AI research facilities Samsung owns to half a dozen, with five other facilities already operating in Korea, the US, the UK, Canada, and Russia. The one that is being erected in New York City will focus on AI robotics, It will be led by Daniel D. Lee, Executive Vice President of Samsung Research, and a global authority in the field.
"What we need now is to focus on creating new values that make people’s lives easier and more convenient by harnessing the power of AI in Samsung’s products and services," said Hyun-suk Kim, President and Head of Samsung Research, the advanced R&D arm of Samsung Electronics’ device business. "To do this, our Global AI Centers, including the New York AI Center, must play a pivotal role."
This is part of a broader effort to expand the company's AI research capabilities. Samsung reiterated that it plans to employ around 1,000 specialists around the globe by 2020. It's not clear how many jobs the new research facility will create, only that it will work in partnership with Samsung's five other AI research labs. Lee also indicated that scientists will collaborate with some of the top regional universities.
"We are excited to open a new Samsung AI center in New York, which will specialize in robotics research," said Daniel D. Lee. "New York is one of the world’s great cities, and with this new facility we will be able to leverage the tremendous talent in the area. We also look forward to collaborating with top universities and academic centers in the region."
Samsung did not get into the specifics of what the facility will focus on out of the gate, though neural networks figures to be a part of it. H. Sebastian Seung, Executive Vice President of Samsung Research, is a leading authority in neuroscience-based AI technologies, and will be assist with the lab's research, the company said.
