A Paradigm Shift in Computer Science?
This workshop focuses on the challenges for computer science and the sciences in general, the move from logic and algorithmic certainty to probability and LLMs.
Nov 28th – 29th 2024 Thursday to Friday
- 09:00 – 17:30 CET / Add to calendar
- TU Wien, FAV Hörsaal 1 Helmut Veith
-
1040 Vienna, Favoritenstraße 9-11
Erdgeschoß, Raum HEEG02 -
This is a hybrid event.
See description for details.
Something is happening in Computer Science, the “new” AI based on machine learning and data is having enormous success.
Its pros and cons, as well as its impact on society, are the subject of intense public debates, including contributions from the digital humanism community.
About
In our workshop we will focus on the challenges for computer science and the sciences in general. We want to discuss and reflect on the possible paradigm shift in computer science, the move from logic and algorithmic certainty to probability and LLMs as story machines. This has enormous implications for many other sciences, as computer science has become a foundation of almost all scientific and applied research. We will also discuss the changing role of universities, since research increasingly shifts to large IT platforms given the resources required.
The workshop will put emphasis on debate and exchange: each slot (with a moderator) will start with an introductory lecture (30-35 minutes), followed by a panel with statements and questions by the commentators (20 minutes). Afterwards there will be an open discussion with all participants.
- Registration: Online at IWM (participation free of charge, but registration required!)
- Venue: TU Wien,
Lecture Hall FAV 1,
Favoritenstrasse 9-11,
1040 Wien
We’ll also live-stream the event. Streaming links will be announced soon. - Organizers: Faculty of Informatics TU Wien, Institute for Human Sciences (IWM)
- Chairs: Hannes Werthner, Stefan Woltran, Ludger Hagedorn
This event is supported by:
- Verein zur Förderung des Digitalen Humanismus
- FWF Cluster-of-Excellence Bilateral AI
- TU Wien Center for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Austrian Ministry of Climate Action and Energy
Program
Overview
| Time | Thursday, Nov 28 | Friday, Nov 29 |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00–10:30 | History of AI | A New Paradigm – A New Computer Science? |
| 10:30–11:00 | Coffee | Coffee |
| 11:00–12:30 | Symbolic AI – What It Can and Cannot Do | What Can Philosophy Tell Us? |
| 12:30–14:00 | Lunch | Lunch |
| 14:00–15:30 | Sub-Symbolic AI – What It Can and Cannot Do | The Impact on Scientific Research |
| 15:30–16:00 | Coffee | Coffee |
| 16:00–17:30 | Symbolic and Sub-Symbolic AI – Co-exist or Combine? |
The Role of Universities in a Platform Dominated World |
Program Details
Thursday, Nov 28
9:00–10:30 // History of AI
- Moderator: Hannes Werthner (TU Wien)
- Speaker: Thomas Haigh (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
- Panel: Enrico Nardelli (University of Rome “Tor Vergata”), Lynda Hardman (CWI Amsterdam)
11:00–12:30 // Symbolic AI – What It Can and Cannot Do
- Moderator: Agata Ciabattoni (TU Wien)
- Speaker: Thomas Eiter (TU Wien)
- Panel: Alexander Schindler (AIT), Martina Seidl (University Linz)
14:00–15:30 // Sub-Symbolic AI – What It Can and Cannot Do
- Moderator: Claudia Plant (University Vienna)
- Speaker: Sepp Hochreiter (University Linz)
- Panel: Francesco Ricci (University Bolzano), Axel Polleres (WU Wien)
16:00–17:30 // Symbolic and Sub-Symbolic AI - Co-exist or Combine?
- Moderator: Hans Akkermans (UDS, Tamale, Ghana)
- Speaker: Frank van Harmelen (VU Amsterdam)
- Panel: Brigitte Krenn (ÖFAI), Gerhard Friedrich (University Klagenfurt)
Friday, Nov 29
9:00–10:30 // A New Paradigm – A New Computer Science?
- Moderator: Helga Nowotny (Former President ERC)
- Speaker: Moshe Vardi (Rice University)
- Panel: Peter Reichl (University Vienna), Viola Schiaffonati (Politecnico di Milano)
11:00–12:30 // What Can Philosophy Tell Us?
- Moderator: Ludger Hagedorn (IWM)
- Speaker: Tim Crane (Central European University)
- Panel: Erich Prem (Verein Digitaler Humanismus), Luc Steels (VU Brussels)
14:00–15:30 // The Impact on Scientific Research
- Moderator: Stefan Woltran (TU Wien)
- Speaker: Noshir Contractor (Northwestern University Chicago)
- Panel: Georg Dorffner (Meduni Wien), Günter Klambauer (University Linz)
16:00–17:30 // The Role of Universities in a Platform Dominated World
- Moderator: Christiane Wendehorst (University Vienna)
- Speaker: Gerti Kappel (TU Wien)
- Panel: Stefan Klein (University Münster), George Metakides (DEF)
People
Details on the chairs, speakers, and panelists at: