Applications open for NZ govt AI research platform

Applications have opened for the development of an AI research platform for the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology (NZIAT).
The research platform represents an investment of up to $70 million from the New Zealand government over seven years to accelerate world-class AI research and commercialisation in New Zealand.
The platform will be run by the NZIAT, a new public research organisation created earlier this year to focus on accelerating economic growth through cutting-edge science and innovation.
In its call for applications, the NZIAT said it was looking for the boldest, most ambitious AI research ideas. The funding aims to support collaborative proposals which push the boundaries of AI science and technology, build strong partnerships between researchers, industry, and investors, and create new knowledge intensive firms and high-value skills pipelines across New Zealand.
‘The AI Research Platform should advance internationally leading-edge AI research that makes sense for New Zealand to undertake, creates highly productive, knowledge-intensive firms and opens new market possibilities for New Zealand,’ the call for proposal said.
According to the Institute, the call for proposals is the first of two-phase process.
The first phase involves concept selection and is an open contest to select about five applicants, who will receive funding to develop a platform proposal for further assessment. Applicants can request up to $250,000.
The second phase will be a closed contest to select the platform with the intention for just one proposal to be funded. However, the Institute may support more than one proposal with the final funding, term, and work programmes subject to negotiation.