Samsung to Open New AI Lab in the UK

New Cambridge AI research centre will explore the capabilities of diverse and human-centred artificial intelligence, realising its near exponential possibilities and help make people’s lives easier

London, UK – 22 MAY, 2018 – Samsung Electronics UK today announced the opening of a new artificial intelligence (AI) research lab based in Cambridge to strengthen the company’s AI capabilities and explore the potential of user-centric AI.

The Samsung AI Centre, Cambridge (SAIC-Cambridge) will be chaired by Professor Andrew Blake, a pioneer in the development of the theory and algorithms that can make it possible for computers to behave as seeing machines, and former Director of Microsoft’s Cambridge Laboratory.

The world-class institute opens up new opportunities for fundamental research in artificial intelligence and enables greater cooperation with the UK’s academic community on the development of advanced technologies. The site – one of several in the company’s global network of AI research – will reinforce Samsung’s position as a leader in this field and bring significant future benefits to the UK’s economy and society.

AI Vision

AI is being adopted in virtually every facet of our day-to-day lives and as a society, we are at the brink of realising near exponential possibilities to make our lives easier through this powerful new technology.

In the coming years, Internet of Things (IoT) devices embedded with AI will generate a vast array of data that can provide fascinating insights about our lives, analysing complex usage patterns and seamlessly enabling us to take advantage of intelligent services optimised for our own personal preferences and behaviours.

Samsung is well-positioned to bring this innovative user-centric AI to market as it is uniquely capable of realising connected AI due to its diverse product portfolio and its scale, and the company aims to expand its R&D workforce in the UK, including AI experts, from current 250 to 400 in the near future.

Seunghwan Cho, Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics, said: “This new artificial intelligence research centre in Cambridge is one of the key milestones in the long-term strategy of the company. In this new world of connected devices and services based on AI, Samsung’s vision is to help people do their jobs and live their lives better. We enable a physical connection between people and information, finding new ways of working together to develop more human-centred technology that serves the needs of users first.”

The Cambridge area is a global epicentre of machine learning and one of the world’s foremost hubs for AI research and development, home not only to world-class talent but also some of the most well-renowned AI scholars with whom we will cooperate closely. The intended outcomes of this centre’s work will in future make a substantial impact on the development of the UK’s digital economy, as well as help contribute to global technological breakthroughs.

Professor Andrew Blake, Chair of the Cambridge AI Centre, said: “This new centre signifies Samsung’s commitment to the advancement of AI. The centre’s research will help us to better understand human behaviour, exploring areas like emotion recognition, and further expand the boundaries of user-centric communication to develop AI technologies that ultimately improve people’s lives.”

The development of AI technologies is a key priority for the UK Government, as highlighted by the recently announced AI sector deal. Samsung has been committed to the UK market for more than 20 years and affirms its continuous support to both the UK economy and consumers.

Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Today’s announcement by Samsung will create high-paying, high-skilled jobs and our modern Industrial Strategy will encourage further investment like this all around the country. It is a vote of confidence in the UK as a world leader in artificial intelligence, and the new AI research centre will benefit from the world-renowned talent and academic prowess of Cambridge.”

Digital Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Samsung’s decision to build a new artificial intelligence research centre in the UK, coming the month after our AI Sector deal and the day after the Prime Minister’s strong endorsement of AI in the NHS, is a huge endorsement of Britain’s creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Through our Industrial Strategy we’re working with industry to invest almost £1 billion to make the UK a world leader in artificial intelligence and help us to seize all the opportunities this technology brings.”

“Samsung has a long history of pursuing innovation and we are excited to be bringing that same passion and technology leadership to AI,” said Hyun-suk Kim, President and Head of Samsung Research at the opening ceremony of the new AI Centre in Cambridge. With the new AI Centres and recruitment of leading experts in the field, our aim is to be a game changer for the AI industry.”

As a company Samsung will implement the results of its global network of AI research centres – including Cambridge – by building an open ecosystem of devices leveraging user-oriented AI to bring value back to users.