After twelve years as the founding director of ADAPT and before that of CNGL Centre for Global Intelligent Content, Professor Vincent Wade transitions to a more research focused role. The Board of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the state agency responsible for investment in ADAPT, has confirmed the appointment of ADAPT’s new interim Director, Professor Dave Lewis. He will take up the position immediately and will remain in situ until a new Chair of Artificial Intelligence and Director of ADAPT at Trinity College Dublin is appointed. In the coming months there will be an open competition for this role.
Professor Dave Lewis has served in senior research leadership roles and has a notable track record of Government engagement. He has been the Head of the AI Discipline at the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College Dublin since 2018 and Deputy Director of the ADAPT since 2016, leading its programme of industry collaborative research. His research focuses on open models for trustworthy AI and data governance, where he leads an international multidisciplinary PhD network and contributes to international standards.
Professor Dave Lewis said: “We owe a big debt of thanks to Prof Vinny Wade for his leadership in building ADAPT into the excellent internationally-renown research centre and fabulously welcoming the community of collaborators that it is today. I look forward to developing those collaborative relationships further, ready for the exciting opportunities in human centric AI research that await ADAPT and the new Chair.”
Both Science Foundation Ireland and Trinity College Dublin paid tribute to Professor Wade’s contribution.
Dr Siobhan Roche, Director Science for Economy, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), said: “On behalf of SFI, I would like to thank Professor Wade for his exceptional commitment to ADAPT, the SFI Research Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology. Under his leadership, the ADAPT Centre has become an internationally renowned Centre in the field of digital media technology with a strong and ambitious vision for the future, aiming to become a world-wide leader in AI-driven digital content engagement. I wish Professor Wade the very best for his future endeavours.”
In addition, Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Linda Doyle, said: “I would like to thank Professor Vinny Wade for the fantastic leadership he has provided to the ADAPT Centre, which Trinity is so proud to host. Vinny has been to the forefront in Trinity of advancing Artificial Intelligence research, which is now a critically important technology enabling us to address multiple societal challenges.
“He has led ADAPT to become a model of interdisciplinary research, spanning diverse fields such as healthcare, education, fintech and sign language communication. As well as outstanding projects such as Beyond 2022. ADAPT has also been a leader in engaging the public in its research. I wish Vinny every success for the future.”