In this special guest feature, Dan Olds writes that Lenovo and Intel hosted their second annual University Artificial Intelligence Challenge at SC18 in Dallas. The Challenge aims to recognize outstanding university-based AI researchers for their achievements in the field. The company started this program in 2017, with the goal of encouraging AI research in universities world-wide.
The reward for the winning researchers was an all-expense paid trip to SC18 in Dallas, Texas, plus the opportunity to present their research in the Lenovo SC18 show floor theater. Eight researchers from universities in North America, Europe, and Asia were selected as award winners, seven of them made it to SC18 and presented their findings in the Lenovo booth.
Their research areas are widely varied, and some of their results are, in a word, amazing. It’s incredible what can be accomplished by utilizing AI to tackle scientific problems. The universities, researchers, and research area included:
- University of Nottingham, UK, Steve Oatley, presented his work on using AI algorithms to accelerate drug discovers. He created an algorithm to speed the development of a treatment for IPF, an aggressive disease that attacks lung function.
- University of California San Diego, SDSC, Dr. Andreas Goetz, a computational chemist, showed how he’s using AI and Machine Learning in quantum mechanics to run chemical simulations, more specifically atmospheric chemistry.
- Yale University, Dr. Thomas Langford, a particle physicist, talked about why he cares about the smallest particles in the universe and how HPC and AI help him in his research. He’s working on PROSPECT, the Precision Reactor Oscillation and Spectrum Experiment, which is designed to track particles from the largest explosions in space.
- Barcelona Supercomputer Center, UPC, Julita Corbalan, is an associate researcher who specializes in workflows and distributed computing. During her talk, she discussed how she’s using AI in the EAR (Energy Management for Supercomputers) project. AI is used to determine the efficiency of a particular application and then to assign the appropriate compute resources to that application in order to optimize supercomputer operations.
- University of New Mexico, Matthew Martinez, is a doctoral candidate who has an innovative project to use AI and smart phone sensors to determine the risk of falling for senior citizens. His research could aid in preventing serious medical problems and even deaths that result from falls.
- BIOTEC/NSTDA, Thailand, Chumpol Ngamphiw presented his research and activities associated with building a National Biobank Center in Thailand. This center is a repository for plants, microorganisms and cell lines, and even human genomes. The goal of the biobank is to help conserve species and provide long term storage for both physical specimens and data. They will then allow access to academia and industry for the purpose of using AI to develop new medicines, detect pathogens, and breed better food plant.
- Rutgers University, Jian Ren, presented his research on using AI and HPC to develop an algorithm to better segment nuclei, which shows the shape and texture properties of the nuclei. This leads to much more accurate diagnostic information showing the stage of prostate cancer in a patient. His algorithm is much more efficient, which speeds time to diagnosis and allows for earlier and better treatment.
For many of the researchers, this was their first opportunity to present their research and conclusions to a large audience. It was obvious that they enjoyed sharing their research in the SC18 venue and interacting with their enthusiastic audiences. Kudos to Lenovo for making the event possible.
The awardees played to a large audience in the Lenovo booth, as can be seen in the videos below, and their presentations covered a wide range of AI research. As can be seen by the videos below, each presenter played to a large audience.
- University of California, San Diego, Dr. Andreas Goetz discussed his research in predicting molecular interactions can be used to aid development in energy sustainability, health, along with the climate and environment.
- BIOTEC/NSTDA, Thailand, Dr. Chumpol Ngamphiw shared his research in using AI to build a national biobank center in Thailand. A biobank is a repository for plants, microorganisms, cell lines, and digital assets that can be used for research in a variety of ways. Some examples include plant breeding, developing new medicines, genetic testing, and pathogen detection.
