Acceleration Consortium

Anatole von Lilienfeld is one of the world's brightest visionaries on the use of computers to understand the vastness of chemical space. (photo by Diana Tyszko)

'No small feat': U of T's Anatole von Lilienfeld is using AI to explore the vastness of 'chemical space'

Anatole von Lilienfeld navigates space – but rather than exploring the depths of the universe, his artificial intelligence-powered work focuses on “chemical space” and the untapped potential of undiscovered chemical combinations. U of T news recently spoke with von Lilienfeld about the digitization of chemistry and what the future holds.
Portrait diptych with Gillian Hadfield (left ) in a cream blazer and black turtleneck; Anatole von Lilienfeld (right) in a tan blazer, charcoal vest holding a circuit board in each hand.

Two U of T professors named Canada CIFAR AI Chairs

University of Toronto professors Gillian Hadfield, director of the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology & Society, and Anatole von Lilienfeld, of the department of chemistry in the Faculty of Arts & Science, have been named Canada CIFAR AI Chairs in recognition of their global leadership in artificial intelligence research.
An artist’s illustration of artificial intelligence (AI). This image represents the concept of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). It was created by Domhnall Malone as part of the Visualising AI project launched by Google DeepMind.

Gift from Schmidt Futures to spark a revolution in AI-based STEM research at the University of Toronto

With the goal of accelerating scientific research through the application of artificial intelligence, Schmidt Futures is investing $148-million in nine global universities, including U of T, the only Canadian university chosen for the program. “As the home of deep learning, the University of Toronto is proud to partner with Schmidt Futures on this forward-looking program, which will accelerate humanity’s ability to meet some of the most important challenges of our time,” said Meric Gertler, president of U of T.

Acceleration Consortium cements partnership with global technology leader Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Acceleration Consortium recently welcomed a visit from one of its new industry partners: Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The collaboration aims to advance the emerging field of accelerated discovery using self-driving labs, which combine artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced computing to rapidly design new materials and molecules. Self-driving labs can reduce the time and cost associated with bringing advanced materials to market from an average of 20 years and $100 million to as little as one year and $1 million.

U of T partners with Moderna to advance research in RNA science and technology

U of T and Moderna, Inc. – known for its mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine – plan to work together to develop new tools to prevent and treat infectious diseases. Leah Cowen, U of T’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives, said U of T is excited to work alongside Moderna to protect society from current and future health threats.
portrait of a smiling Anatole von Lilienfeld, wearing a tan blazer and dark grey vest and tie, holding a circuit board in each hand

Anatole von Lilienfeld appointed inaugural Clark Chair

Machine learning and physical chemistry specialist Anatole von Lilienfeld has been named the inaugural holder of the Clark Chair in Advanced Materials at the Vector Institute and the University of Toronto, becoming a pivotal faculty member at the Acceleration Consortium Read more about the appointment, the Clark Chair and U of T donor Edmund Clark → A leading expert in […]
Ainka Jess and Alán Aspuru-Guzik conversing on the street. A blue box, containing the words The Acceleration Consortium, is centered on top of the image

Groundbreakers: U of T’s Acceleration Consortium rethinks the laboratory to optimize the discovery-to-commercialization process

What does the lab of the future look like? When it comes to advanced materials, can we accelerate the process of discovery to commercialization from 25 years to 10, five or even one? These are some of the issues explored by Alán Aspuru-Guzik, director of the Acceleration Consortium at the University of Toronto, and polymer […]
The lab of U of T's Alán Aspuru-Guzik, in collaboration with partners in academia and industry, has launched an open-access library of about 300,000 virtual, machine-learning calculated organic compounds (photo by Johnny Guatto)

To speed discoveries, U of T lab launches free library of virtual, AI-calculated organic compounds

Alán Aspuru-Guzik’s research group has launched an open-access tool, Kraken, that promises to accelerate the discovery of new chemical reactions that underpin the development of everything from smartphones to life-saving drugs.
A collaboration between academia, industry and government, the Acceleration Consortium will draw on AI, robotics, engineering and chemistry to build “self-driving laboratories” capable of developing next-generation materials (photo by Johnny Guatto)

U of T Acceleration Consortium to use AI to develop advanced materials

U of T is launching a new global consortium — the Acceleration Consortium — dedicated to using artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the design and discovery of advanced materials that could revolutionize a range of industries – from renewable energy and biomedicine to communication technology. The initiative will be led by led by Alán Aspuru-Guzik, a professor in the departments of chemistry and computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Sciences.

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