Apple’s head of machine learning, Ali Farhadi, has left the company to become the new CEO of an AI non-profit. Before joining Apple in 2020, Farhadi co-founded Xnor.ai while working at Allen Institute for AI (AI2). At Apple, Farhadi headed up the company’s machine learning efforts until his recent departure.
Now, he’s returning to AI2, where he previously spent six years, this time as their CEO. In his new role, he hopes to shape the development of truly open and transparent AI research that is grounded in science. Farhadi believes this radical approach to openness is essential for building the next generation of AI.
Today more than ever, the world needs truly open and transparent AI research that is grounded in science and a place where data, algorithms, and models are open and available to all. I believe this radical approach to openness is essential for building the next generation of AI. The world class researchers and engineers at AI2 are uniquely positioned to lead this new open and trusted approach to AI development.
AI2’s board of directors and corporate vice president of Microsoft Research & Incubations, Dr. Peter Lee, expressed his excitement over Farhadi’s appointment. He described Farhadi as a rare leader who combines expertise as an executive, entrepreneur, academic, and researcher. Farhadi is expected to carry on AI2’s vision for AI as a positive force in the world.
AI2 is the premier AI research and engineering nonprofit whose work is aimed at advancing the science and impact of artificial intelligence globally. Therefore, Farhadi is a highly qualified individual who possesses the skill set necessary to lead AI2’s next chapter.
I could not think of a better time to return to AI2 as CEO, said Ali Farhadi. As we face unprecedented changes in the development and usage of AI, I believe AI2’s work to advance the science and impact of artificial intelligence globally has never been more critical.
