American AI expert sets his sights on Europe: New leadership at ELLIS

The European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS), the leading European network for excellence in modern machine learning and AI research, today announced the appointment of its new ELLIS Board, ushering in a dynamic phase for artificial intelligence (AI) research across the continent. Notably, the board will be led by Serge Belongie, a distinguished AI expert and American citizen who has chosen to base his career in Europe, highlighting the continent's growing prominence in the global AI landscape. Belongie’s decision to contribute his expertise to ELLIS, while residing and working in Copenhagen, signals a powerful endorsement of Europe's commitment to cutting-edge AI research and ethical development. 

As a professor of Computer Science at the University of Copenhagen and head of the Pioneer Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Belongie brings a wealth of knowledge in computer vision, large-scale image and video analysis, and the application of AI to societal challenges. He has been on the ELLIS Board since 2022.

 "I am deeply honored to take on this new role as President of the ELLIS Board of Directors and to play a role in shaping the future of AI in Europe," said Belongie. "Europe possesses a unique blend of scientific excellence and a strong commitment to responsible AI development. I believe that by fostering collaboration and driving innovation, we can ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of this transformative technology." 

Shaping the future of AI

Belongie succeeds former ELLIS President Bernhard Schölkopf (Director, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems & ELLIS Institute Tübingen), who played the key role in uniting Europe’s fragmented AI research landscape with the ELLIS network to strengthen its position on the world stage. Schölkopf will continue to support ELLIS’s mission, working alongside Belongie and ELLIS Vice President Nuria Oliver (ELLIS Unit Alicante). 

"Serge's decision to work in Europe and lead ELLIS is a testament to the strength and potential of the European AI ecosystem," said Bernhard Schölkopf. "His vision and experience will be invaluable as we work to advance AI research and ensure that Europe plays a leading role in shaping the future of this technology." 

“To remain competitive in the global AI landscape, Europe must attract, retain and cultivate top talent. Serge's choice to move to Europe from the US and become the President of ELLIS in Europe is a wonderful example of attracting excellent talent. I am excited to continue working with Serge on the ELLIS Board, and I am confident that under Serge’s Presidency ELLIS will continue to grow and strengthen its position as a world-class network of scientific excellence in AI,” said Nuria Oliver. 

Comprising leading AI and machine learning researchers from across Europe, the new ELLIS Board brings together diverse expertise that will enable a dynamic approach to these critical areas. Belongie's leadership, in particular, highlights the growing attraction of Europe as a hub for AI innovation, drawing talent from around the world. His base in Copenhagen further cements Denmark’s role as a key contributor to the European AI research agenda.

The full list of new ELLIS board members is available here.

About ELLIS

ELLIS (European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems) is a pan-European AI network of excellence founded in 2018. It builds upon machine learning as the driving force of modern AI and aims to secure lasting international leadership in AI developed in Europe. By fostering collaboration among top researchers and creating a multi-centric research laboratory, ELLIS ensures that Europe remains at the forefront of cutting-edge AI innovation. The network has grown to include 43 ELLIS Sites at world-class institutions across 16 countries, 16 specialised research programs, and a pan-European PhD/Postdoc program. Through these efforts, ELLIS shapes the future of artificial intelligence in alignment with Europe’s values of openness, collaboration, and societal impact.