CSIRO, Google aim to accelerate use of AI for research

The CSIRO and Google have joined forces to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence among Australia’s research community. The collaboration will involve the development of a range of joint activities aimed at expanding the use of AI in the Australian research community, including joint research, education, training and support.

CSIRO AI for Science Program Director Dr Stefan Harrer said the project is aimed at taking full advantage of the recent rapid improvements in — and increased access to — generative AI technology.

“Narrow AI, AI trained for a specific task, has been used by scientists for years to great effect. For example, Google’s AlphaFold model has made fundamental breakthroughs in protein structure prediction,” he said. “Responsible use of broad, generative AI has the potential to not only accelerate but transform scientific discovery.”

A key component of the collaboration will be ensuring Australian researchers have the skills required to reap the benefits of advances in AI, Harrer said.

Google Product Lead for Science AI in Google Research Lizzie Dorfman said the company is already using AI to accelerate scientific discovery in biology, chemistry, earth science and other areas.

“We strongly believe in the value of sharing these approaches — collaboration has always been central to scientific progress and to our scientific research at Google,” she said. “I am excited that Google is investing even further in community building within the Australian science community and extending our partnership with CSIRO.”

The collaboration forms part of the CSIRO’s existing five-year collaboration agreement with Google. As part of this collaboration, the CSIRO is already using AI and machine learning to help identify invasive starfish in the Great Barrier Reef, evaluate the potential of seagrass as a method of carbon sequestration, and preserving and restoring endangered Giant Kelp forests.

Image credit: iStock.com/Amorn Suriyan