NorwAI&NAIL AI Seminar: «From Minds to Machines – Psychology-grounded AI» with Loïs Vanhée

Welcome to the AI Seminar Series from NorwAI – Norwegian research center for AI Innovation, & NAIL – Norwegian Open AI Lab, this time co-organized with SFU Excited.

About the speaker

Loïs Vanhée (docent, recognized teacher) is an Associate Professor in Artificial Intelligence at the Umeå University. His core research interests revolve around the development of psychologically-grounded AI systems, for which he implemented a variety of psychological aspects (e.g. norms, values, needs, emotions, cognitive workload) within an array of AI methods (e.g. LLM, automated planning, social robotics, social simulation) and he coordinates the Special Interest Group on Models of Human Decision. His recent research focus revolves around the development of Anxiety-Sensitive AI systems (AnxSAI) for which he has developed spearheading research in top-ranking venues and received multiple grants, including from the Swedish Research Council. As an educator, Loïs is particuarly active in the field of transdisciplinary and responsible AI education; both in research and practice, and is involved in leading education-research alignment initiatives. In his functions of co-director of TAIGA, Umeå’s center for Transdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence for the Good of All, he organizes a university-wide network dedicated to the development and application of Socially-Aware Artificial Intelligence (i.e. designing AI systems sensitive and adaptive to the social context they are part of) and is currently setting up a transdisciplinary AI recearch platform for covering a university-wide interests.

Abstract

This event consists of two related parts, beginning by a presentation of some key research activities (45 minutes) followed up a coffee break and a workshop-like encounter in the second part. While connected, both parts can be attended independently.

Large language models, deep learning, neural networks, agents, expert systems… Each new Artificial Intelligence (AI) breakthrough follow a hype cycle, with an overexcitement that raises as quickly as it fades when another variant arise. What if, instead of racing after every last technique, we were to focus on the fundamental questions raised by AI, i.e. how to design systems that have intelligent proprties? This is the approach and question at the core of my activity, which I address by extracting insights from cognitive sciences and psychology on the various facets of intelligence and translate as models and design principles for AI systems. I am honored to be given an opportunity to share with you this passion through this seminar, which I will split in the following parts as to address the interests of the various invited attendees:

1. A general introduction on psychology-grounded AI development and its relevance to address the everchanging landscape of AI research and education
2. A focus on a specific research activity, namley Anxiety-Sensitive AI (AnxSAI), connecting psychological theory, fundamental AI research, operational models, and practical applications
3. An example of how this approach has been and can be articulated as a platform for transdisciplinary research and education collaborations

This last item will act as a starting point for the second part, which is organized as an arena for creating new collaborations. This part is organized as a short version of a transdisciplinary AI workshop, allowing participants to get to know each other and the establishment of a mapping of collaboration potentials. This workshop is also an opportunity, if you are interested in international and/or transdsciplinary collaborations, to have your research interests promoted within our university-wide collaborator networks within TAIGA, Umeå’s center for Transdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence.

Details

Time: Friday, November 15th, 09:30-11:30

Place: IT Building South, 1st floor, Room 119 Drivhuset, Gløshaugen (Entrance at Sem Sælandsv. 7)

Competency level of the talks: Popular Scientific (with some technical details)

Online participation: Follow the link below to participate online in Teams. The seminar series is mainly aimed for in person participation, but you are welcome to join the Teams stream.

• Teams link

Please accept the invite if you plan to attend in person! We will order refreshments based on this attendee list. Email coordinator (benedikte.f.ytterli@ntnu.no) to imply any dietary restrictions or allergies before Tue 12/11.

All the best,
the NorwAI, NAIL and Excited seminar team