Abstract:
While a formal definition of explanation remains elusive, Explainable AI is receiving substantial attention in many sub-areas of AI, with increasing focus on the importance of human-centred evaluation in controlled task settings. Drawing on various endeavours to build cognitive agents able to fluidly operate in dynamic environments with humans, I will reflect on progress and limitations regarding the generation of useful explanations, with a perhaps surprising detour to consider potential contributions from the science of magic.
Bio:
Liz Sonenberg is a Professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Melbourne and holds the Chancellery role of Pro Vice Chancellor (Systems Innovation). She is a member of the Standing Committee of the One Hundred Year Study on Artificial Intelligence (AI100) and a member of the Advisory Board of AI Magazine. For many years one theme of her research has been on agent technology, particularly agent collaboration and teamwork, with a complimentary theme being the human-automation interface and implications for the design of computational mechanisms to support human decision-making. Liz was the recipient of the 2020 Australasian AI Award for Distinguished Research Contributions.
Abstract:
Artificial Intelligence is the hot topic of the day. Governments and industries around the world are rushing to invest in AI with the promise that it will offer competitive market advantages as well as help solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. But what is Australia’s standing in the AI ecosystem? In this talk, I will review Australia’s place in the AI world, celebrate some of our AI successes and discuss some of the new initiatives looking to increase the visibility of Australian AI on the global stage.
Bio:
Jon Whittle is Director of CSIRO's Data61, the digital and data sciences arm of Australia's national science agency. With over 800 staff and affiliates, Data61 is one of the largest collections of R&D expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in the world. Data61 partners with over 200 industry and government organisations, over 30 Universities, and works across vertical sectors in manufacturing, agriculture, and the environment. Prior to joining Data61, Jon was Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University, the largest university in Australia. He was named CEO Magazine's 2019 Education Executive of the Year. Jon is also a former Technical Area Lead at NASA, where he worked on AI software for NASA space missions. Jon has a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract:
Over the last decade, there has been significant investment in humanoid and human-friendly robotics platforms. In certain areas, robots have successfully entered our lives, vacuuming our floors, cutting our lawns, and delivering our groceries. Yet in other areas, human-robot collaboration has not yet hit the mark. Fluent, beneficial, long term engagement still eludes us as the market failures of the social robots Anki, Jibo, and Kuri attest - last year even Softbank's Pepper was laid off. This talk looks at some of the challenges for achieving collaborative robots that people want to live and work with.
Bio:
Elizabeth Croft is currently Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia and has recently been appointed Vice-President Academic and Provost at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada commencing July 1, 2022. She is recognised internationally as an expert in the field of human-robot interaction. Her work advances the design of intelligent controllers and interaction methods that underpin how people and autonomous, collaborative systems can work together in a safe, predictable, and helpful manner. Elizabeth is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Canadian Academy of Engineers and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.