Talks

AI+Super Computing

Science Series

Many of the most successful companies have their foundations in university labs -- from data science to the web browser itself. Yet the process of moving from research project to successful startup isn't always straightforward. With the goal of smoothing this process and continuing to bridge entrepreneurs across academia and industry, we began the a16z Professor-in-Residence program just last year. And this year's newly anointed Andreessen Horowitz Distinguished Visiting Professor of Computer Science is Dan Boneh, Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at Stanford University as well as Co-director of the Stanford Computer Security Lab.

In this episode of the a16z Podcast, we sit down with Boneh to chat about applied vs. theoretical math and computer science; what's missing and what's next with "usable" security (including various authentication approaches); and current and future trends in cryptography, bitcoin, and more. Boneh also shares his thoughts on MOOCs (massive open online courses) as the "21st century version of the textbook". Oh, and on when quantum computing will finally happen... and why we should (and shouldn't!) freak out about it. Yet.

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a16z Podcast: Crypto, Security, CS, Quantum Computing, and More with Our New Professor-in-Residence

Quantum computing. The dream of the 1980s is alive in 2015. But this time is different, for a number of reasons. What are the applications, beyond cryptography? And, what’s the point of it all — are the benefits of quantum computing truly going to be a difference of kind vs. of degree? And if so, how will it change what we already know about computers, from languages to coding to UIs to everything?

While it’s counterintuitive for us to imagine something so infinitesimally small, Ilyas Khan of Cambridge Quantum Computing helps us make the quantum leap in our minds … in this special edition of the a16z Podcast, brought to you from London.

a16z Podcast: Quantum Leap

What is A.I. or artificial intelligence but the 'space of possible minds', argues Murray Shanahan, scientific advisor on the movie Ex Machina and Professor of Cognitive Robotics at Imperial College London.

In this special episode of the a16z Podcast brought to you on the ground from London, Shanahan -- along with journalist-turned-entrepreneur Azeem Azhar (who also curates The Exponential View newsletter on AI and more) and The Economist Deputy Editor Tom Standage (the author of several tech history books) -- we discuss the past, present, and future of A.I. ... as well as how it fits (or doesn't fit) with machine learning and deep learning.

But where are we now in the A.I. evolution? What players do we think will lead, if not win, the current race? And how should we think about issues such as ethics and automation of jobs without descending into obvious extremes? All this and more, including a surprise easter egg in Ex Machina shared by Shanahan, whose work influenced the movie.

a16z Podcast: Artificial Intelligence and the 'Space of Possible Minds'

Inaugural John Bell Day lecture to commemorate Bell's Theorem which was first submitted for publication on 4th November 1964

Science: Talk on Quantum Computing by Eric Ladizinsky

Academy Discourse - The Speed Gene
Dr. Emmeline Hill
(Response by Prof. Dan Bradley)
Thursday, 7th March 2013, 6pm, Academy House

Dr Emmeline Hill is a co-founder and Chairman of Equinome. She is one of Ireland's most prominent genomics scientists and leads the Equine Exercise Genomics research group at the College of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, where she is a lecturer in Equine Science. She joined UCD in 2002 with a B.A. Genetics (1995) and a Ph.D. in Molecular Population Genetics (2000) from Trinity College, Dublin.

In 2000, Dr. Hill and Prof. Patrick Cunningham published one of the first molecular genetic research studies of Thoroughbreds that identified errors in The General Stud Book. Her publication record includes articles in the leading academic journals Nature, Science, PLoS ONE, BMC Genomics and Animal Genetics. In 2004 she received a Science Foundation Ireland President of Ireland Young Researcher Award, Ireland's most prestigious award for young scientists. In 2009 she published the first description of the genes that contribute to the Thoroughbred athletic physique.

http://www.ria.ie

Disclaimer:

The Royal Irish Academy has prepared the content of this website responsibly and carefully, but disclaims all warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information contained in any of the materials. The views expressed are the authors’ own and not those of the Royal Irish Academy.

Science: Academy Discourse - The Speed Gene - Dr. Emmeline Hill

Public Lecture - The Double Helix and Its Irish Forbearers
Nobel Laureate James Watson
(Response by David McConnell)
Monday, 29 April 2013, 6pm, Academy House 

A Public lecture by Nobel Laureate James Watson entitled “The Double Helix and Its Irish Forbearers” was held in the Royal Irish Academy .

www.ria.ie

Disclaimer:

The Royal Irish Academy has prepared the content of this website responsibly and carefully, but disclaims all warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information contained in any of the materials. The views expressed are the authors’ own and not those of the Royal Irish Academy.

Science: Public Lecture - The Double Helix and Its Irish Forbearers - Nobel Laureate James Watson

A Conversation with Professor Peter Higgs and Colleagues
Thursday, 2 May 2013, Academy House

On Thursday, 2 May 2013, in the Royal Irish Academy, Professor Peter Higgs was joined by University of Edinburgh colleagues, Professor Alan Walker, Dr Victoria Martin and Francisca Garay to explore four generations of research on the Higgs boson. Speakers explained how the Higgs boson fits into modern theories of particle physics, what it's like to work at the Large Hadron Collider and the Inspiration for the Higgs boson.

Finally, speakers looked at how the work of one scientist, Professor Peter Higgs, inspired generations of physicists to work in particle physics and how the Higgs boson was eventually discovered. The event was open to public.
www.ria.ie

Disclaimer:

The Royal Irish Academy has prepared the content of this website responsibly and carefully, but disclaims all warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information contained in any of the materials. The views expressed are the authors’ own and not those of the Royal Irish Academy.

Science: A Conversation with Professor Peter Higgs and Colleagues

Public Lecture - Making Science Work
Sir Paul Nurse
Friday, 14 June 2013, Academy House

Sir Paul Nurse, President, The Royal Society, gives a lecture on Making Science Work.

The photo of Sir Paul Nurse is courtesy of the BBC.

www.ria.ie

Disclaimer:

The Royal Irish Academy has prepared the content of this website responsibly and carefully, but disclaims all warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information contained in any of the materials. The views expressed are the authors’ own and not those of the Royal Irish Academy.

Science: Public Lecture - Making Science Work - Sir Paul Nurse

Academy Discourse: Terrorism, Torture And Memory
Speakers: Professors Richard English ( St. Andrews University) and Shane O’Mara (Trinity College, Dublin)
Response: Adrian Hardiman
Wednesday, 26 June, 2013 in Academy House
RIASCI
RIASOC

The views of a political scientist and a neuroscientist. Professors Richard English ( St. Andrews University) and Shane O’Mara (Trinity College, Dublin). A joint interdisciplinary discourse to recognise United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

www.ria.ie

Disclaimer:

The Royal Irish Academy has prepared the content of this website responsibly and carefully, but disclaims all warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information contained in any of the materials. The views expressed are the authors’ own and not those of the Royal Irish Academy.

Science and Social Sciences: Academy Discourse: Terrorism, Torture And Memory

The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hEireann is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is the principal learned society in Ireland and has over 420 members who are elected in recognition of their academic achievements.

The Royal Irish Academy, the academy for the sciences and humanities for the whole of Ireland will vigorously promote excellence in scholarship, recognise achievements in learning, direct research programmes and undertake its own research projects, particularly in areas relating to Ireland and its heritage.