NYC Gazette

Money will fund collaborative project on artificial and natural intelligence

QUEENS, NY – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) in Flushing Meadows Corona Park has been awarded federal funding from the National Science Foundation to participate in a project on artificial and natural intelligence.

The facility will be part of a $20 million federally funded initiative led by Columbia University to establish the AI Institute for Artificial and Natural Intelligence (ARNI): an interdisciplinary center that will bring several top research institutions together to focus on a national priority: connecting the major progress made in artificial intelligence (AI) systems to the revolution in our understanding of the brain.

Over the next five years, NYSCI will serve as a collaborative museum outreach partner and the home of the Youth Residency program to develop and test new exhibit activities that foster public engagement around AI and Neuroscience. Through interactive public engagement, NYSCI will advance one plank of the ARNI program: to invite American youth and their families to discover how our brains work, how AI can help us see exciting parts of being human (e.g., experiencing and seeing how memories form), and to tinker with how AI is the same and different from the way humans think.

“For decades, NYSCI has had a tremendous impact on our region, increasing the knowledge of science for millions of students, teachers and families, and I am excited as it takes part in this new and critical initiative,” said Congresswoman Meng. “I look forward to seeing the work and contributions that NYSCI’s team makes to this project, and the impact it will have on its visitors in our borough.” 

"NYSCI is excited to collaborate with the Artificial and Natural Intelligence Institute's Youth Residency program to engage Explainers, who are part of our signature Science Career Ladder program, and foster public engagement around AI and Neuroscience,” said Dr. Margaret Honey, President and CEO of NYSCI. “This five-year partnership will invite visitors and families to discover how our brains work and explore the intriguing connections between humans and machine."

Funding for the project is also provided through the Department of Defense. NYSCI will receive $499,413 for its partnership on the project.

Original source can be found here.