Eight universities and research centres have signed a letter of intent to establish an AI consortium
The Silesian University of Technology, together with the Silesian Medical University, the University of Silesia and five scientific and research centres joined the interdisciplinary AI consortium. On the 24th of November, the National Institute of Oncology in Gliwice signed a letter of intent concerning research cooperation in the development of data processing techniques based on artificial intelligence.
- Artificial intelligence from a solution with a fleeting and not entirely specified purpose in a few years has grown into a powerful tool that is massively used in many different fields. We are very keen that, above all in the field of medicine and medical sciences, but also in many other areas, cooperation between our institutions should develop. So that we would be a group that would drive the development of technologies using artificial intelligence mechanisms and acting together, we would have the opportunity to present our voice to decision-making centres, jointly develop research programs, but also apply for funds for the development of technology based on artificial intelligence. Our ambition is also to constitute a body with ethical supervision over the direction in which the technology based on the use of artificial intelligence algorithms will be heading – said Dr Hab. in Medical Sciences Sławomir Blamek, Prof. NIO-PIB, director of the Gliwice branch of the National Institute of Oncology named after Maria Skłodowska-Curie – National Research Institute, initiator of the creation of an interdisciplinary AI consortium.
For many years, the Silesian University of Technology has been implementing many joint projects with the National Institute of Oncology in Gliwice, and some of the six Priority Research Areas of the University are Computational Oncology and Personalized Medicine, as well as Artificial Intelligence and Data Processing. His Magnificence Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk reminded that just a year ago artificial intelligence was looked at primarily through the prism of the threats it brings. - We were afraid of abuses that could occur thanks to universal access to this tool. Today, we are focusing on the opportunities that artificial intelligence gives us. There is also growing awareness about it. It is difficult to talk about the dynamic development of our region and our institutions without reaching for algorithms and methods of artificial intelligence - said Prof. Pawełczyk.
Prof. Damian Gąsiorek, Vice-Dean for Cooperation with the Socio-Economic Environment in the previous term of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and currently Director of the Krakow Institute of Technology (KIT), which includes the Zabrze Institute of Medical Technology and Apparatus, emphasized, that the best Silesian universities and the best scientific and research centres have been joined by a common goal – science and development in connection with new technology.
The representatives of the institutions who signed this document are:
- Dr Hab. in Medical Sciences. Sławomir Blamek, Prof. NIO-PIB, director of the Gliwice branch of the National Institute of Oncology named after Maria Skłodowska-Curie – National Research Institute
- Dr Hab in Medical Sciences. Tomasz Szczepański MD– Rector of the Medical University of Silesia;
- Dr Hab. Eng Marek Pawełczyk, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology;
- Hab. Agnieszka Turska-Kawa, Prof UŚ – Vice-Rector for Science of the University of Silesia;
- Dr Hab. Eng Adam Zieliński – Director of the Lukasiewicz Research Network – Upper Silesian Institute of Technology;
- Dr Hab. Eng. Dariusz Prostański, prof. ITG KOMAG – Director and Dr Eng. Bartosz Polnik – Deputy Director for Development of the KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology;
- Dr Hab. Eng. Damian Gasiorek, prof. SUT, Director of the Research Network Lukasiewicz – Krakow Institute of Technology and
- Dr Eng. Jarosław Smyła – Deputy Director of Operational and Financial Affairs of the Lukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.
The letter of intent, agreed by representatives of the AI consortium members, shows that the basis for its signing is the need to undertake interdisciplinary research cooperation in the field of the development of data processing techniques based on artificial intelligence. The document says:
“With a view to the Parties’ commitment to improving the performance of the health system, mainly through research and innovation in the field of health care, the Parties unanimously declare their intention to establish research cooperation for the implementation of activities within the framework of the cooperation network entitled: Silesian Partnership for the Development of Data Processing Techniques Based on Artificial Intelligence (SPACEPORT – AI). The initiative aims to bring together experts who want to jointly develop and test new approaches to efficient data processing, using the latest technological achievements, by:
- joint use of the existing resources and the substantive and technical base;
- exchange of experience between scientific and research and teaching staff;
- implementation of educational, popularizing, cultural and social projects, including in particular didactic workshops, debates, symposia, and guest lectures;
- organization of scientific and educational conferences and seminars, as well as other events and events;
- joint application for funds for the implementation of projects financed from domestic and foreign sources.
Text based on NIO-PIB press materials in Gliwice.
