The School of Mathematics and Data Science presents a Colloquium from our Industry Advisory Board Chair, Andrew Gillette:

Title: The Skeptical Advocate: A Role for Mathematicians in an AI World

Abstract:

Mathematicians excel at bringing formalism to emerging scientific disciplines.  The recent explosion of interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) across the scientific landscape presents an incredible host of opportunities for mathematicians to help explain observed phenomena in state of the art methodologies.  In this colloquium, I will present a series of vignettes about my foray from the mathematical realm of approximation theory for numerical methods to the application-focused world of scientific machine learning techniques. In brief discussions of my work on projects for fusion simulations, adaptive mesh refinement, and volumetric visualization, I will highlight how a mathematical perspective provides both healthy skepticism and a desire to advocate for further AI + ML research.

My research transition has occurred in tandem with a shift in my career, from a faculty member in the UA Department of Mathematics to a research scientist at the Center for Applied Scientific Computing at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. I will highlight contributions from former UA students in my projects and point at ongoing collaboration opportunities for current students and faculty.  

In the last part of the talk, I will introduce other members from the newly formed School of Mathematical Sciences Industry Advisory Board, who will share their perspectives on the benefits that mathematics provides to industry. We will close with a preview of the extensive opportunities for the UA community to engage with the IAB board during our in-person meeting the next day.