Four UBC researchers appointed to Canada-CIFAR AI chairs

Four UBC computer scientists have been appointed to chairs as part of an expansion of the Canada-CIFAR AI research program.

The AI program, funded by the Federal government with $86.5 million over five years, provides researchers with long-term, dedicated funding to support their research programs and help them train the next generation of Canadian AI leaders.

"The Canada CIFAR AI Chairs Program is core to Canada’s ongoing leadership in machine learning research and training," says Dr. Elissa Strome, Executive Director of the CIFAR Pan-Canadian AI Strategy.

"As the first country to develop a national AI strategy and the birthplace of deep learning, Canada is uniquely positioned to advance machine learning research and responsible AI."

The new UBC Science Canada CIFAR AI Chairs are:

• Leonid Sigal, Associate Professor, Computer Science, University of British Columbia  (Vector Institute)
• Kevin Leyton-Brown, Professor, Computer Science, University of British Columbia (Amii)
• Mark Schmidt, Assistant Professor, Computer Science, University of British Columbia, CIFAR Senior Fellow, Learning in Machines & Brains (Amii)
• Frank Wood, Associate Professor, Computer Science, University of British Columbia (Mila)

The four new UBC chairs join UBC statistician Sara Mostafavi, appointed to the program in 2018. The 17 newly named Canada CIFAR AI Chairs come from universities across Canada, including  Université de Montréal, McGill University, University of British Columbia, Dalhousie University, University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, as well as the University Hospital Network.

The 46 chairs (expanded from 29) are named in partnership with Canada’s three national AI institutes: Amii (Edmonton), Mila (Quebec) and the Vector Institute (Toronto), as well as 12 universities and hospitals across the country.