Future of AI

Status Quo

A child can recognize an animal species after being exposed to the correct associations a few times. The best artificial intelligence (AI) systems might need to ‘see’ thousands of images to achieve an almost similar level of accuracy. So, despite decades of development and a lot of hype around AI and machine learning, even the best technologies can’t perceive the world as humans do – yet.

The prevailing method of deep learning is mainly based on supervised learning. And even if this led to astounding technological breakthroughs in the past couple years it brings several severe limitations.

The Challenge

A faster progress in this fascinating field will require radical innovation. “Leapfrogging” (jumping) ahead of current approaches by rethinking AI is the topic of this vibrant Challenge!

The vision of Merck: The future of AI lies in unsupervised learning that is based on and inspired by our biological intelligence!

As the starting point for leapfrogging ahead Merck identified the problem of invariant representation and thus the fascinating question: How is it possible that our brain recognizes “things” - like objects, stories or even songs - even if they can be experienced through an infinite number of different ways?

The Job

Based on background information, Research Challenges and a first profound and pioneering Model from Merck, the aim of this project is to generate insights from various disciplines that can lead to progress towards an understanding of invariant representation.

To do so you can take one out of four tracks to shape the future of AI!

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Until the 10th of June, your task is to convince Merck with a first profound approach and your personality that you are capable in collaboration with leading experts from Merck to change the future of AI!

If you do so, you will get the chance to learn from leading Experts from Merck at a two-day boot camp in the Merck Innovation Center and in the following to collaborate further on your approach!

What's in for you

For this challenge we created an unprecedented incentive for you: Together with Merck, we can guarantee the best participants a paid Merck research fellowship of at least 4 months in the AI Research Department!

Additionally, you will get the chance to publish a joint scientific paper and if it fits your study progress the chance to write your thesis with Merck

Of course, the winners should not go out without some immediate recognition. Therefore, a total of prize money of € 5,000 will be distributed. This is divided between the top three teams as following:

• 1st Place: 2500 Euros
• 2nd Place: 1500 Euros
• 3rd Place: 1000 Euros

Furthermore all participants remain in a position to use their rights at any time.

More Info about the process and the prizes can be found in the following Conditions of Participation.

Conditions of Participations Future of AI Challenge