I-X hosts the second edition of its annual Breaking Topics in AI Conference

The conference brings together leading experts to discuss the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

I-X recently held the second edition of its Breaking Topics in AI Conference. Supported by Schmidt Sciences, the conference brought together leading experts in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning, serving as a platform for sharing cutting-edge knowledge, exploring new research directions, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.

Commenting on the event, Professor Sophia Yaliraki, I-X Co-Director for Engagement, emphasised its role in advancing AI research and collaboration: “This event brilliantly showcased I-X and Schmidt Sciences’ shared philosophy of bringing together foundational and applied problems in scientific discovery.”

From Computing to Healthcare: Exciting Advancements and Emerging Challenges in AI  

During the conference, the keynote speakers presented the latest trends as well as emerging challenges in the research on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Dr Andreas Joergensen, one of the organisers, reflected on the importance of the conference: “By bringing together leading experts on groundbreaking topics in AI, we create a space for our community at Imperial to share and engage with cutting-edge ideas. Events like this are essential for exploring the rapidly evolving AI landscape and its potential impact across different sectors.”

By bringing together leading experts on groundbreaking topics in AI, we create a space for our community at Imperial to share and engage with cutting-edge ideas. Dr Andreas Joergensen Senior Teaching Fellow and Eric and Wendy Schmidt Postdoctoral Fellow

The conference began with a lecture by Professor Max Welling (CuspAI, University of Amsterdam), who discussed how machine learning is advancing the study of molecules and materials, highlighting machine learning’s disruptive impact on sciences and the sciences’ contribution to the development of machine learning methods.

In the second lecture of the day, Professor Francesca Toni (Imperial College London) explored interactive explanations for contestable artificial intelligence. Revolving around the question of whether AI can be trusted, Professor Toni’s talk delved into the importance of safe AI and the computational arguments for explainable and contestable AI.

Dr Atoosa Kasirzadeh (Carnegie Mellon University) examined issues related to artificial intelligence and machine learning safety. Specifically, her lecture discussed how we can ensure that artificial intelligence systems act in accordance with our values, focusing on the deconstruction of pluralistic AI value alignment and normative infrastructure.

In the final keynote of the day, Professor Alejandro Frangi (University of Manchester) spoke about the future of healthcare in light of recent artificial intelligence developments. His talk explored the impact of AI on medical innovation, discussing the potential of AI-enabled computer-based medical trials based on detailed prediction models or highly controlled virtual conditions.

The conference also featured a flash talk competition, where PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and senior members of staff presented the main key takeaways from their research on artificial intelligence. The winner of the competition was Dr Marcus Ghosh, who discussed his work on multisensory integration, explaining how neural network models can be used to discover how the brain combines information from multiple senses. The conference also included a research poster competition, in which prizes for the best posters were awarded to Dr Sara Veneziale and Dr Manolo Perez.

Professor Nick Jones, Director of the I-X Centre for AI in Science, commented on the continued impact of the Breaking Topics conference on the AI research community: “AI is credibly the most exciting area in contemporary research, and it was great to see its leading research showcased and to catalyse connections between faculty, fellows and students”.

A recording of the conference can be found on the I-X YouTube Channel under the I-X Breaking Topics in AI 2024 Conference Playlist.