Leveraging data science and artificial intelligence at the University of Auckland

Leveraging data science and artificial intelligence Data science and artificial intelligence (AI) are a lever for greater economic influence, power and performance and they’re also generating dramatic shifts in the labour market.

What does your company do in this space?

The University of Auckland, New Zealand’s leading university, can connect you with more than 100 active researchers from all disciplines to prosper in this new environment.

UniServices can help bring your ideas to life and connect with the future today.

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Data Science and AI capability at the University of Auckland Intelligent systems and informatics

Intelligent Vision Systems

Broad AI Lab

Our Intelligent Systems and Informatics Group explores ways of building more intelligent software systems – systems that automatically solve complex problems, extract information from 3D images, and discover patterns hidden within massive databases and streams of data. There’s selforganising systems, control and coordinate multi-agent systems, and adapting past solutions to deal with current problems.

We can help assess medical conditions to assist in healthcare decision-making and reformulate problems to reduce the effort needed to solve them.

Developing intelligent vision systems to detect, classify, or retrieve natural 3D objects under varying imaging conditions and operating environments is one of the most challenging artificial intelligence and computer vision problems having considerable practical interest.

Led by Prof Michael Witbrock, who used to work at IBM Research AI, this lab specialises in learning-based general AI, with a focus on complex problem solving with Natural Language (NL). While the long-term goal of human-level understanding is still challenging, many near-term advances in processing text, diagrams and tables are readily available, with high-potential commercial impact.

In particular, computer stereo vision can serve as an important tool in photogrammetry, cartography, civil engineering, mining, forensics, archaeology, biometrics, autonomous navigation, augmented reality, game industry, special movie effects, etc.

Transforming complex data into knowledge We bring together experts from the academia, industry, and government at Te Pūnaha Matatini, a Centre of Research Excellence hosted by the University of Auckland. They develop ways to transform complex data about our environment, economy, and society into knowledge, tools, and insight for making better decisions.

Security, AI and block-chain The Cyber Security Foundry is our hub for all things security-related. The consequences of deliberate or accidental attacks or leaks are well-known. Many organisations aren’t wellprepared with either tools or services, and there’s a global skills shortage in this sector.

We collaborate with industry, teach security professionals, and develop new security solutions. We also research and consult on the law, policy and ethics of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and block-chain.

Theoretical computer science Our Theory Research Group focuses on the abstract, mathematical nature of computation. This includes automata theory, computational biology, computational complexity, computability and randomness, design and analysis of algorithms, and unconventional models of computation.

Using data to solve real-world problems Our Operations Research and Computational Analytics (ORCA) Group uses theory, algorithms and computational methods to solve real-world problems with real-world data. It’s all about capturing, managing, organising and visualising data to help make better decisions.

Modelling the human body

New robotics

The Physiome Project at our Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI) is pioneering modelling of the human body as part of an international project. The goal is virtual human models which can be personalised and used with a new generation of implantable medical devices to improve healthcare and lower its cost.

Our Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science (CARES) is a worldleading group working in human-robot interaction. CARES’ skills include pure and applied sciences across robotics, electrical engineering, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, software engineering and computer science. It also works with healthcare disciplines such as general practice and primary care, gerontology, nursing, pharmacy, health psychology, with expertise in user trials.

Spinout companies from this group include StretchSense, I Measure U and Formus Labs.

Human Computer Interaction (HCI)

Sharing sounds, sights and feelings

Our Laboratory for Animate Technologies at the ABI is defining the next generation of human-computer interaction with “live” computational models of the face and brain.

These combine bioengineering, computational and theoretical neuroscience, artificial intelligence and interactive computer graphics research. This could lead to new applications in healthcare, robotics, and human-machine interfaces, and offer substantial opportunities for New Zealand companies.

The Empathic Computing Laboratory is developing software systems that allow people to share with others what they’re seeing, hearing and feeling. The goal is to help people better understand one another. The lab is part of the ABI and uses advanced technology such as augmented and virtual reality, EEGs, and physiological sensing to enhance face-to-face and remote collaboration.

Upskilling in educational analysis

Need to upskill in data science?

Quantitative Data Analysis and Research (Quant-DARE) provides expertise in quantitative data analysis and research support to develop and validate educational measurement instruments, and advance quantitative research and data analytic methods in education in New Zealand and internationally.

Alongside our degrees, we offer short courses to empower your business and employees in data science. Courses can be tailored to your needs and are taught in a small classroom environment designed around well-researched active learning strategies. We partner with leading businesses to keep content relevant.

Understanding evolution and all that follows The Centre for Computational Evolution develops software tools and mathematical models for understanding evolution and molecular ecology. Their skills include fields as diverse as linguistics, ecology, the origin of life and epidemiology.

Statistical computing and graphics The R Project began as a language and environment for statistical computing and graphics. It’s now an integrated suite of software for data manipulation, calculation and graphical display, used around the world by groups as diverse as ivy league universities and school children. R’s philosophy is to make standard things easy.

Information Systems and Operations Management (ISOM) ISOM is home to:

New technology in healthcare

Using data science to improve health

Bioinformatics Institute

The University of Auckland established the National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI) to deliver new information technology to drive and scale up e-health and telehealth across our healthcare systems. NIHI collaborates with local and international universities, clinicians and healthcare providers, policy makers and commercial partners, focusing on addictions, nutrition, physical activity, heart health and health technology.

Precision Driven Health (PDH) is a seven‑year NZ$38m research partnership using data science to improve health outcomes. PDH aims to provide all information about an individual – including their genetic and social profile – through an electronic health record, accessible by clinicians in real time. The University of Auckland is one of the founding partners, along with Orion Health and the Waitematā District Health Board.

A research and education centre bringing together biosciences, health sciences, computer science, mathematics, and statistics to understand complex datasets. The Institute is based in the Faculty of Science and affiliated with the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

Biomatters, a leading provider of DNA data analysis solutions, is a spinout in this field.

• research on new problems, ideas and solutions in supply chain management (Centre for Supply Chain Management)

Center of Digital Enterprise (CODE) A multi-disciplinary research centre, which focuses on the area of digital technologies’ application in organisations and digital transformation of business and society in New Zealand.

Centre for Supply Chain Management (CSCM) Our mission is to develop and disseminate world-class knowledge and practices in supply chain management applicable to Australasian economies by fostering cooperation, collaboration and communication among academic researchers, educators and industry practitioners.

• how digital technology is applied in organisations (Centre of Digital Enterprise) • telecommunications network competition, dynamic spectrum access, bandwidth-on-demand markets, and next-generation broadband economics (Pricing in Next-Generation Research Group).

The University of Auckland The University supports economic growth locally and nationally by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship to create quality jobs and high-value businesses. Our graduates make a significant contribution to our economy and society, to the benefit of all.

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s world-ranked university. It is the leading New Zealand university in the QS World University Rankings 20191 and in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE)2, and is ranked number one in the world in the sustainability-focused inaugural THE Impact Rankings3.

UniServices

UniServices partners with the University of Auckland to: • Support researchers and help them grow their research portfolios, increasing the impact of research on society and expanding the value of research outputs.

• Develop mutually-beneficial relationships with research funders and commercial clients, bringing the external worldview into the University research environment.

• Identify, protect and develop the intellectual property of the University that arises from world-class research.

• Commercialise University-sourced technology and innovations, developing and investing in the commercial potential of new ideas produced by University staff and students.

• Deliver social and economic benefits of research outputs to the wider community in New Zealand and beyond.

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CONTACT research@uniservices.co.nz | www.uniservices.co.nz Level 10, 49 Symonds St, Auckland. Private Bag 92019 Victoria St West Auckland 1142 New Zealand

www.abi.auckland.ac.nz 1

http://tiny.cc/QS_UOA

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http://tiny.cc/Times_Rankings

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http://tiny.cc/THE_UOA_Impact

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http://tiny.cc/Reuters_Top75

At UniServices, we bring ideas to life.

We partner with the best minds at the University of Auckland to apply intelligent thinking to ideas that have the potential to change the world.

Together with our partners, we look to the future, imagine the possibilities, and innovate for public and private good. For over 30 years, we’ve collaborated with hundreds of organisations on thousands of projects in New Zealand and around the world.

We are the most innovative university in New Zealand in Reuters’ Top 75: Asia’s Most Innovative Universities rankings.4