News
ICTP announces new prize for Artificial Intelligence research, sponsored by IBM
Alessandro Curioni, Vice President of IBM Research Europe and Africa, announced IBM’s intent to sponsor the prize for five years – until the end of 2029. The sponsorship initiative is aligned with IBM’s efforts with the AI Alliance, a global organisation launched in December 2023 by IBM and Meta, which ICTP has also joined. Curioni made the announcement during his welcome remarks at the International Symposium on the Future of Scientific Computing: A Global Perspective, organized by ICTP in Trieste on 27 May 2024.
The launch of this prize reflects a growing interest at ICTP in activities on AI, quantum and high performance computing and a clear need to make the latest developments on these topics broadly accessible to the global scientific community. This is in line with ICTP’s role in the AI Alliance, recently launched by IBM and Meta
The prize will be awarded to scientists or research teams who have made significant contributions to an open approach to AI and science, recognizing the excellence and originality of their approach to research, subject to participation terms and eligibility requirements. The intent of the prize is to recognize outstanding scientific contributions of individuals and/or teams in theory, algorithms, or applications related to an open approach to AI.
The prize, which will include a monetary award, will first be awarded in 2025.
AI has become imperative for humans – to keep moving science and technology forward, keep helping us to come up with new solutions to the world’s numerous problems, and assist us in nearly all areas of life. The need for the benefits of cutting-edge AI is particularly urgent in emerging economies. This prize can help AI researchers come up with new technologies, new solutions to make the world a better place
At the same event, Curioni also announced IBM’s intent to sponsor annual schools and workshops in the field of AI, for five years. The proposed aim of the activities is for participants to exchange ideas, learn from experts, collaborate on cutting-edge research projects and interact with the AI prize recipient. The workshops and schools may feature lectures, hands-on tutorials, and networking sessions, with the goal of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge dissemination.
The parties have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding regarding both the award and the schools sponsorship. Statements regarding IBM's future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice, and represent goals and objectives only.
ICTP & UNESCO
ICTP is a driving force behind global efforts to advance scientific expertise in the developing world. UNESCO first lent its support to ICTP in the 1960s, when the centre was still in its infancy. It continued through the 1970s and 1980s when UNESCO extended its funding for ICTP's research and training activities, and culminated in the mid-1990s when UNESCO became the lead administrative agency for the Centre.
ICTP is now a UNESCO Category 1 Institute. Although operating with significant autonomy, the programmes of this institute are an integral part of the UNESCO Natural Sciences Sector programme.
ICTP hosts The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS), a UNESCO programme that works to support sustainable prosperity through research, education, policy and diplomacy. The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and GenderInSITE, an international initiative to promote the role of women in science, innovation, technology and engineering, and a programme unit of UNESCO, are both hosted by TWAS.
