TL;DR:
- Aberdeen University and Robert Gordon University have received significant funding from the US Defense Department for AI machine learning research initiatives.
- The Pentagon has invested nearly £400,000 in the two universities since 2012.
- The funding aims to support studies on marine animal behaviors and underwater AI machine learning.
- Scottish universities have received a total of £34 million from the US defense department during this period.
- Aberdeen University received £330,000 for experimental chaos and complexity conference and research on behavioral disturbances of marine mammal populations.
- RGU was granted £56,000 for underwater AI machine learning research.
- Critics raise concerns about the involvement of Scottish universities in military research funded by the US military.
- Amnesty International warns that this involvement could damage the institutions’ reputations and contribute to the development of technology with devastating effects.
- The Pentagon has been criticized for underestimating civilian casualties in Iraq, Syria, Somalia, and Afghanistan.
- The universities maintain strict procedures to comply with legislative and export control requirements and conduct due diligence for research projects involving international partners.
- The research projects funded by the US defense department primarily focus on investigating the impact of disturbances in marine environments and understanding the effects of marine tourism on sensitive habitats.
- The universities emphasize their commitment to economic, social, and cultural development in their research projects.
- The partnerships between Scottish universities and the US defense department highlight the ethical considerations surrounding such collaborations.
Main AI News:
In a significant boost to their research capabilities, Aberdeen University and Robert Gordon University (RGU) have received substantial funding from the United States Department of Defense. The Pentagon has invested nearly £400,000 in these Scottish institutions since 2012, aiming to advance studies in marine animal behaviors and underwater AI machine learning.
The revelation comes as The Scotsman uncovers a larger trend, highlighting that Scottish universities have collectively been granted approximately £34 million by the US defense department during this period. Specifically, Aberdeen University has secured £330,000 for the experimental chaos and complexity conference and for conducting studies on “behavioral disturbances of marine mammal populations.” Meanwhile, RGU has been allocated £56,000 to delve into the realm of “underwater AI machine learning.”
Amidst financial constraints faced by Scottish universities, they actively seek diverse funding sources to maintain a balanced budget. However, critics point out the potential implications of accepting funds from the US military, considering its recent interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, and Somalia, which have resulted in substantial loss of life.
Expressing concerns, a researcher from a Scottish university conveyed to The Scotsman, “There is an expectation to accept this money, do the work, and not delve too deeply into the consequences.”
Amnesty International, a prominent human rights organization, cautioned that the involvement of Scottish institutions in military research supported directly by the US and UK defense departments could tarnish their global reputations. Oliver Sprague, the military, security, and police program director at Amnesty UK, emphasized the potential risks, stating, “Scottish universities must acknowledge that their participation in military research funded by the US and UK defense departments puts their institutions at significant risk of contributing to the development of technology that can have devastating effects.”
Amnesty International’s report in 2020 highlighted the Pentagon’s underestimation of civilian casualties in Iraq, Syria, Somalia, and Afghanistan, potentially leading to violations of international law by the United States.
In response to the concerns, a spokesperson from the University of Aberdeen assured that the institution maintains stringent procedures to ensure compliance with legislative and export control requirements set by the UK government. The university has also established a dedicated team to review the management of security issues in research projects funded by international partners. Additionally, the university identifies research falling under the scope of the National Security and Investments Act (NSIA) 2021 and conducts thorough due diligence for research grant applications involving international partners.
The University of Aberdeen spokesperson further explained, “These projects largely focused on investigating the impact of disturbances in marine environments, including research that has brought wider benefits in terms of understanding the impact of marine tourism on sensitive habitats.”
Similarly, a spokesperson from RGU emphasized their commitment to robust due diligence and aligning research projects with the university’s strategic aims of contributing to economic, social, and cultural development. The singular research project in question, completed in April of last year, centered on AI machine learning for underwater object detection and classification. The funding for this project was received in response to an open call, with support provided by the Office of Naval Research.
Conlcusion:
The significant funding received by Aberdeen University and Robert Gordon University from the US Defense Department for AI machine learning research initiatives holds implications for the market. This investment highlights the growing importance of AI and machine learning in various sectors, particularly in the defense industry. The focus on marine animal behaviors and underwater AI machine learning indicates a rising demand for advanced technologies in marine research, defense applications, and potentially other related industries.
The collaboration between these universities and the US defense department also signifies the potential for increased innovation, knowledge transfer, and commercialization opportunities in the market. However, it is crucial for stakeholders to address the ethical considerations and potential reputational risks associated with military-funded research. Overall, this development showcases the market’s increasing reliance on AI and machine learning technologies and opens up avenues for advancements and economic growth in relevant sectors.
