Nikhef has joined the new European initiative in the field of scientific use of artificial intelligence. SCIANCE (AI in science) was formally launched in Brussels this week.
The initiative supports and coordinates scientific research using artificial intelligence in Europe. The project mobilises important European organisations and research institutions.
For the time being, this is happening in five areas: fundamental physics and astronomy, materials science, life sciences, earth sciences, and social sciences and humanities.
This involves collaboration with AI research institutions and digital infrastructures. SCIANCE inventories research into scientific applications of AI and sets priorities. The initiative will pave the way for Resource for AI in European Science (RAISE), a new European institute that will facilitate AI-driven research. A strategic agenda and a roadmap are being developed for this purpose.
‘SCIANCE is an opportunity to connect research communities, infrastructure and AI expertise in a way that reflects scientific priorities,’ says Jonal L’Haridon, project coordinator at the European Research Council EFS.
Thirteen European research institutions and organisations are now involved in the consortium, including Nikhef from the Netherlands. Nikhef will be responsible for the scientific coordination of physics within SCIANCE. Nijmegen particle physicist Sascha Caron is leading the project.
Participation in SCIANCE fits in with Nikhef’s continued focus on the use of artificial intelligence in particle research. This year, a special workforce has been set up to investigate, stimulate and coordinate the effective use of AI in Nikhef experiments. Together with Caron, ATLAS programme leader Wouter Verkerke is also a working group leader.
