York University announced a first-of-its-kind $318.4M inclusive AI research initiative called Connected Minds

Connected Minds, a large-scale, seven-year interdisciplinary research program led by York University, focus on the research of Artificial Intelligence and other disruptive technologies,  to allow people to equitably benefit from advances in a machine-driven world, This program is supported by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF).

This project will bring experts together from York University and Queen's University, who work in different fields, including humanities, engineering, law, and life sciences, to help create a fair, just and healthy society for all people.

The main purpose of this project is to establish a research and technology framework to discover how to balance both the potential risks and benefits for humanity and to ensure that the use of new technologies is inclusive.

For example, for Artificial Intelligence, researchers will set some parameters around the technology, to prevent the kind of headline-grabbing pitfalls experienced by AI like ChatGPT, to ensure that human can enjoy the constant change and development of technology.

At the same time, the research program will also focus on issues such as intellectual property rights in virtual worlds, data access rights, control rights and possession rights. Explore topics such as a more inclusive Metaverse, Virtual Reality and Community Organizing, technologies for Healthy Aging, and how the human brain works when people interact with AI.

The project received a $105.7 million grant from CFREF together with contributions from collaborating partners, is worth $318.4 million, making the Connected Minds project the largest research project in Canada.

Source: www.yorku.ca