Quantum Horizons

Ever wondered how the human brain, algorithms and the world’s deserts can be connected? Imagine that at any one time, the Earth's atmosphere carries 26 million tonnes of mineral dust - small aerosol particles emitted by the deserts. Satellites ‘observe’ these particles, and supply us with enough data to train an AI system. Here, I will explain how I utilised these connections in designing DustNet - a super-fast convolutional neural-network model which predicts the next day aerosol levels.

Ethical AI, as a topic, is incredibly hard to define. Subsequently, navigating this field is a huge problem with multiple actors, all of whom have their own specific responsibilities depending on their area of expertise. This talk will focus on the role of the statistician in ethical AI. As entities who produce AI systems, do certain ethical responsibilities fall on their shoulders? (Spoilers: YES.) OR, is their role purely technical in nature? (Spoilers: IT IS NOT.) And what should YOU expect of a statistician helping you make a decision through the use of an AI system?

Rapid advances in computing have changed the world. Artificial Intelligence is progressing fast, providing ever new capabilities. However, its growth is limited by computing power, needing more resources for its growth. Quantum computers (QC) are a new type of devices that can provide the required step-change. Built on the rules of quantum mechanics, they use quantum objects – qubits. With an increasing number of qubits the power of QC can grow exponentially, potentially providing an ultimate platform for AI. How do quantum computers work and what is the status of their development? Which problems will they be able to solve in the future? And are they dangerous? These are the questions we will discuss.