Curtin links with Optus in AI research

Curtin University has joined with Optus to create a research group on artificial intelligence.

Optus Business managing director John Paitaridis

In today’s Higher Ed Daily Brief: new AI research push, new master in design

Curtin links with Optus

Curtin University has joined with Optus to create a research group on artificial intelligence which will investigate its impact on regional telecommunications, higher education and the urban environment. The two have agreed on a five year alliance which will see the appointment of an Optus chair in artificial intelligence and three Optus research fellows, as well as funding for PhD scholarships and student projects.

Curtin vice-chancellor Deborah Terry said the alliance would help the university “train the highly skilled and industry-ready students of the future”. She said the development of artificial intelligence was among the most exciting areas of current research.

Optus Business managing director John Paitaridis said the alliance would bring together the expertise of industry and academia. “Fully realising the application of technology, like artificial intelligence, is critical in how we’re helping organisations address digital disruption,” Mr Paitaridis said.

Design mastery

The University of Sydney will launch a new master of design next year which, although coming from its School of Architecture, Design and Planning, will offer much more than a traditional design degree. Building on the growth of “design thinking” and its application to business strategy and solving business problems, students in the new masters degree will “learn how to draw on design to understand complex situations and to drive change across economies and companies”.

They will see how design principles will help them innovate products, run organisations, and communicate with customers,” says Martin Tomitsch, the chair of design and director of the university’s Design Lab.