ANU will partner with artificial intelligence giant Anthropic, the creators of the Claude model, under their new ‘AI for Science’ initiative.
As part of the program collaboration with ‘AI Safety Company’ Anthropic, ANU will receive free API credits for researchers working on ‘high-impact scientific projects’, as well as a $500,000 donation.
Spurred by the initiative, artificial intelligence is expected to play a greater role in research and study at the ANU.
The School of Computing, continues to implement Claude in coursework, in an effort to prepare students for entry into a workforce where generative AI has become commonplace. Associate Professor Dan Andrews (no relation to the former Victorian Premier) is leading a multidisciplinary team which utilises artificial intelligence in processing genomic data in order to facilitate easier diagnosis.
The move comes after the Australian government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Anthropic, which outlined expectations for the implementation of AI in Australia under the National AI Plan.
The MoU cited the potential of AI for accelerating economic growth, and stipulated that safety in AI will be paramount as the company collaborates with research institutions, engages with the Australian government in developing energy supply infrastructure and collaborates with the Australian Public Service.
Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Senator the Hon Tim Ayers, says that the MoU will “drive progress under the National AI Plan” and “strengthen Australia’s position as an attractive place to invest.”
The Australian Government’s positive reception of Anthropic is in contrast to their recent friction with the United States, with US President Donald Trump labelling company officials “Leftwing nut jobs.”
On the same day the Australian MoU was announced, Anthropic released a statement where they outlined their ‘Core Views on AI safety’, stating they “do not yet have a solid understanding of how to ensure that these powerful systems are robustly aligned with human values”, and could not “be confident that there is a minimal risk of catastrophic failures.”
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