Last Thursday, July 11th, the NOCHTSPEICHER in Hamburg transformed into a hub of scientific excitement. Over 150 guests attended the AI Grid Science Slam to experience the latest research in artificial intelligence presented by the participating slammers. The event attracted not only PhD candidates from computer science but also experts from various scientific disciplines. This broad exchange fostered engaging discussions and fresh insights that transcended the boundaries of individual fields.
A Celebration of Creativity and Innovation
In a captivating and inspiring atmosphere, five young researchers and AI Grid members showcased their innovative projects, impressing with creativity and scientific depth. The evening was far more than a mere presentation of research findings – it was a celebration of ideas, creativity, and vibrant scientific exchange.
Highlight of the Evening
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the announcement of the Science Slam winner. Vivek Chavan, a PhD candidate at Fraunhofer IPK in Berlin, captivated the audience with his compelling presentation on computer vision. His talk explored the potential of this technology and posed the question of how it could reshape our perception of the world. This impressive performance not only earned him first place but also a complimentary ticket to the prestigious Falling Walls Science Summit, taking place from November 7 to 9, 2024. This award highlights the significance of his work and provides an opportunity to connect with leading scientists and innovators from around the globe. Organized by the Falling Walls Foundation, the summit is renowned for celebrating groundbreaking scientific achievements and actively supporting the international research community.
Our Science Slammers
In addition to Vivek Chavan, other talented early-career researchers also took the stage:
Aditya Mohan, a PhD candidate at Leibniz University Hannover, took the audience on a fascinating journey into the world of reinforcement learning. In his talk, 'Fantastic Cheese and How to Find It,' he delved into the complex mechanisms of sequential decision-making processes and demonstrated how machine learning can contribute to innovative solutions across various fields.
Maryam Arabshahi, , a PhD candidate at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) in Kaiserslautern, captivated the audience with her vision of the next generation of mobile networks. She vividly explained why the next 'G' in our lives could be a game-changer and highlighted its potential benefits for global communication and connectivity.
Zahra Ebrahimi, a PhD candidate at the Technical University of Dresden, explored an extraordinary topic: approximate computing. In her talk, she demonstrated that intentionally performing imprecise calculations can sometimes be beneficial and explained the practical applications where 'being wrong' can actually work to an advantage.
Hassan Hussein, a PhD student at Leibniz University Hannover, addressed a highly relevant topic: trust in AI systems. In his talk, 'Beyond the Black Box: Ensuring Trust in AI Systems,' he discussed the importance of transparency and explainability in artificial intelligence and outlined ways to strengthen trust in these technologies.
An Inspiring Evening in a Unique Setting
The evening was marked by a diverse and intergenerational audience, comprising professionals and enthusiasts from various fields. This vibrant mix created a unique atmosphere, fostering stimulating conversations and new connections. The event provided the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and reflect on the latest advancements in artificial intelligence together.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the entire Science Slam team, whose excellent moderation and organization ensured a seamless event. Special thanks also go to the NOCHTSPEICHER for the impressive venue that provided a truly special setting for the evening. Last but not least, we thank the Ingo Nordmann-Mohn for the outstanding coaching of the participants, Bernd Jonkmanns for the wonderful photos that perfectly captured the evening's atmosphere, and of course, our brilliant slammers, who inspired the audience with their presentations.
Thank you to everyone involved for an unforgettable and inspiring evening filled with scientific discoveries and fresh ideas!
