DeepMind funds new post at Oxford University – the DeepMind Professorship of Artificial Intelligence

DeepMind, the leading British artificial intelligence company, has renewed and extended its commitment to supporting research in AI at the University of Oxford by funding a new post, the DeepMind Professorship of Artificial Intelligence.

The DeepMind Chair will enable a world-leading AI researcher to establish a new group within Oxford’s thriving AI community, with the opportunity to pursue their own research interests. AI research at Oxford has strengths across the whole spectrum of contemporary AI, ranging from the philosophical and ethical foundations of the field through to reasoning, robotics, vision understanding, and deep learning. 

The post-holder will benefit from being a Professorial Fellow of Exeter College. The fourth oldest college at the University, Exeter has a historic site on Turl Street and a multi-purpose modern campus (opened in 2017) on Walton Street. The College’s diverse community of fellows and students from across the world include many engaged in research relevant to Artificial Intelligence.

DeepMind was established in London in 2010 and is now a world leader in artificial intelligence research and its application for positive impact. The DeepMind Chair is part of a wider initiative by the company to broaden participation in science and support wider research in the UK.

Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO, DeepMind, says: ‘I'm delighted to expand our support of AI research at Oxford with the DeepMind Professorship of Artificial Intelligence. I look forward to seeing who the University appoints and where they decide to focus their research with the support of Oxford's world-class AI research community.’

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Louise Richardson, says: ‘We are deeply grateful for DeepMind’s continued support of our research and teaching, and tremendously excited about the prospects for this important new chair in an area in which Oxford is so active.’

Professor Michael Wooldridge, Head of Department of Computer Science, says: ‘This is an outstanding opportunity for a world-class researcher to join a world-class AI research environment. We are tremendously excited about the possibilities for this post, and grateful for DeepMind’s continued support of our work at Oxford.’

Professor Sir Rick Trainor, Rector (Head) of Exeter College, commented: ‘Exeter College is delighted to be providing a Professorial Fellowship for the DeepMind Professor of Artificial Intelligence. The Chair relates directly to the interests of a number of Exeter Fellows, and strong intellectual synergy is expected.’

More details of the DeepMind Chair can be found here: https://bit.ly/3ep9Xmi