AI in Action Speaker Series Launch and Reception

Join us for the launch of UCSB Library’s new speaker series AI in Action Conversations with UCSB Researchers. The event features short presentations by Tobias Fischer (Director, Earth Research Institute), Ben Halpern (Executive Director, National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis) and Rebecca Vega Thurber (Director, Marine Science Institute) on innovative applications of AI in their research, followed by a 30-minute discussion on broader trends, challenges, and ethical considerations, and a reception.

Fischer will present an overview of the use of AI in the Earth Research Institute (ERI) with examples on how AI is used in research projects.

In his presentation titled “Using AI Effectively and Responsibly in Environmental Data Science and Synthesis,” Halpern will share a few highlights of applications and lessons learned on how AI is changing the nature of research projects at NCEAS, and how we can continue to use AI responsibly.

In her presentation titled “Using Deep Learning/AI to explore System Agnostic Microbiome Measures,” Thurber will discuss her work using advanced bioinformatics and deep learning to compare microbiome studies and identify unifying principles of how microbiomes function and thus contribute to animal health. This work aims to synthesize numerous studies on animal microbiomes, revealing system independent microbiome features that transcend hosts. Such work will ideally pinpoint critical aspects of host-microbiome interactions and how they can be used to advance animal health, ecosystem resilience, and resource management.

This event may be photographed or recorded.

Advance registration is recommended as space is limited.