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UCLA, Amazon Team Up For Science Research Center

WESTWOOD, CA– JULY 10, 2008. UCLAs Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science on July
WESTWOOD, CA– JULY 10, 2008. UCLAs Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science on July 10, 2008. Engineering schools were named after Samueli after the co–founder of high–tech firm Broadcom Corp. and his wife donated to the two programs in 1999. But UC officials say they are reviewing whether Samuelis name should remain associated with the schools in the wake of his guilty plea last month to making a false statement to federal authorities about a plan to reward employees by manipulating stock options. (Photo by Glenn Koenig/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - The University of California, Los Angeles has partnered up with Amazon to institute what they will call the "Science Hub for Humanity and Artificial Intelligence."

The research center will implemented with the goal of using academic research on artificial intelligence in order to develop solutions for some of the world's most pressing societal issues.

This move comes on what UCLA calls "Amazon Science Day at UCLA," marking the 52 year anniversary of the birth of the internet at the school.

The hub is slated to operate out of the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science.

"We are delighted to collaborate with Amazon on this effort to examine the future of artificial intelligence and its implications for our world," UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said in a statement. "The Science Hub for Humanity and Artificial Intelligence will advance AI-related discoveries and deepen our understanding of a discipline that is revolutionizing the way we use and understand modern technology."

Amazon has agreed to donate $1 million in the first year of this partnership, with a potential for four additional years in the deal.

Samueli doctoral students will provided up to $70,000 in fellowships and paid internship opportunities through Amazon. The research hub will also support community activities like public symposiums, workshops and more.

This is the first known collaboration between the two partners in the move.

UCLA also announced the unveiling of another forward-thinking program a little over a week ago with the Barbra Streisand Institute.

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

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