FCT and Google support Portuguese research in AI

The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and Google have recently established a collaboration agreement that aims to support research projects in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Portugal over the next two years. This support, which translates into the provision of credits for AI services on the Google Cloud platform worth $2 million, will be awarded through a Call projects to be launched by the FCT in September this year. The presentation of this partnership will take place today, July 19, in an online session.

For the first phase of this support, the following were identified as priority research sub-areas within AI: Natural Language Processing, namely the creation of computational models and tools for the Portuguese language, and Responsible AI, which aims to develop systems that follow ethical principles and allow for the explainability of their behavior. In the second year, the aim is to increase and expand this initiative, with a view to creating an ecosystem to support AI research and innovation activities in Portugal.

The development of Artificial Intelligence research in these subareas allows, for example, large-scale access to information and communication between languages, cultures, and skills, and Portugal already has great success stories in this field, such as Unbabel and Priberam.

This collaboration with Google will complement the existing support provided by FCT within the scope of RNCA – National Advanced Computing Network, which provides high-performance computing resources through its operational centers: Minho Advanced Computing Centre (MACC), Advanced Computing Laboratory of the University of Coimbra (LCA-UC), High Performance Computing of the University of Évora (HPC-UÉ), and National Distributed Computing Infrastructure (INCD).

Fernando Pereira, Google Vice President, Engineering Fellow, said of this partnership: “Technology has an important role to play in building an inclusive, sustainable, and green recovery. Public-private partnerships are the foundation of this work, and Google continues to join forces with the Portuguese government to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital transition.”

Today, July 19, at 6:00 p.m., FCT and Google will host an online session entitled "Artificial Intelligence Research in Portugal," which will present details of this joint collaboration to support research in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The session will feature Paulo Quaresma, Member of the FCT Board of Directors, Fernando Pereira, Google Vice President, Engineering Fellow, and will be moderated by Helena Martins, from Google. It will open with a speech by the Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education, Manuel Heitor.