Professor Nicholas Lane, University of Cambridge

Professor Lane, and his team, aim to fundamentally change the way the world approaches machine learning (ML) and enable AI to be far more collaborative and open than is possible today. Project DANTE seeks to invent, popularize and open-source scalable decentralized forms of ML that will be capable of (1) allowing the safe and privacy-preserving usage of previously untapped sources of distributed data, and (2) the efficient and secure sharing of computing resources towards widening participation in ML – even at extreme levels of complexity. These methods will support companies and organizations of all sizes to more easily work together towards the next-generation of AI breakthroughs, and also accelerate AI being adopted within domains where data is inherently sensitive (e.g., healthcare). An underlying mission of DANTE is also to facilitate advanced AI technology remaining available for adoption in the public sphere (e.g., hospitals, public policy, energy and transit infrastructure).