PULLMAN, Wash. – Eric Horvitz, a leading researcher in artificial intelligence, will talk about recent advances that could help solve challenging, real-world problems at 12:10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, in the Engineering, Teaching and Research Laboratory (ETRL) 101 at Washington State University Pullman.
Horvitz, distinguished scientist and deputy managing director at Microsoft Research, will lecture on “Decisions, Uncertainty and Intelligence,’’ at the first Allred Lecture in Artificial Intelligence, funded by Doug and Loretta Allred. A 1973 computer science alumnus, Doug Allred was responsible for building Cisco Systems’ multi-billion dollar, global services business. The lecture is meant to enhance artificial intelligence research and undergraduate study at WSU.
Artificial intelligence continues to motivate and frame advances at the frontiers of computer science. In particular, Horvitz says, recent advances in the ability to collect, store and harness large amounts of data allow computers to better generate insights and guide decision-making.
We designed algorithms for advice giving, and we are trying to figure out when our advice makes the biggest difference. Matthew E. Taylor, WSU’s Allred Distinguished Professor in Artificial Intelligence,
This recent work in machine learning and intelligence allows computers to tackle real-world problems better than they ever have. Horvitz will highlight key artificial intelligence concepts that could help solve challenges – specifically in transportation, healthcare, and the environment.
Horvitz’ research interests span theoretical and practical challenges with developing systems that perceive, learn and reason. He has published widely in these areas. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
He has served as president of the AAAI, on the council of the Computing Community Consortium and on the advisory board of the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate of the National Science Foundation.
Horvitz holds Ph.D. and M.D. degrees from Stanford University.
