Machine Learning, the Djinni in the Bottle: Predicting without Understanding?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) were developed by humans in an attempt to aid in their innate limitations to see deep into complex data. In recent years we have seen a momentous expansion of the field, fuelled by exponential growth in computing power. While it was easy to ignore ML when it was learning to play chess, it has now become ubiquitous in our lives, playing an ever-increasing role in decisions that affect our mortgages, our security and our health.

In the face of impressive results, random comments about ML range from “a glorified way of performing a fit” to ethical concerns and Terminator-style doomsday scenarios. An interesting quote says: “By far, the greatest danger of Artificial Intelligence is that people conclude too early that they understand it.” On the other hand it appears to hold the key of possible unlocking previously unknown physics from the deluge of experimental data being produced.

The Higgs Summer Forum will host an open debate contrasting these two viewpoints led by two imminent researcher in the field.

Please join Prof George Biros and Prof Veronica Sanz for this year’s Higgs Centre Summer Forum.

Moderated by Luigi Del Debbio.