When Artificial Intelligence Meets Natural Stupidity
Jorge Páramos, LCG Consulting
Jorge Páramos graduated in Physical Engineering in 2001 and concluded his Ph.D in 2006 at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), in Lisbon, focused on astrophysics and cosmology. He remained at IST until 2013 as a researcher: his main areas of interest became modified models of gravity and, in parallel, scientific applications of global positioning systems and non-dedicated spacecraft. He moved to Porto in 2013, were he was an invited lecturer for four and a half years and followed those research goals at Centro de Física do Porto. He then returned to Lisbon to start a career as a data scientist at LCG Consulting, where he currently is a senior consultant.
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence is lauded as the next big thing, the path to freedom from work or perhaps the end goal of capitalism. Big Data is often confused with it, as is Business Intelligence — adding to the melting pot of hype words and ecstatic or apocalyptic predictions for the world of tomorrow.
Using my experience as a physicist, I briefly discuss relevant technical concepts and offer my biased insight into the current state of affairs, future trends and relevant opportunities for aspiring scientists.
Writing Better Scientific Papers
Matteo Rini, Physics Magazine, American Physical Society (APS)
Matteo Rini holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (University of Pavia) and a Ph.D. in Physics (Humboldt University of Berlin). He has worked as a scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and other industrial and academic institutions. His research focused on using ultrafast laser and x-ray techniques to probe ultrafast processes in liquids [Rini et al. Science 301, 349 (2003)] and solids [Rini et al. Nature 449, 72 (2007)]. He later turned to broader issues of science policy, diplomacy and communication, serving as a Policy Officer for the Research and the Climate-Change Directorates of the European Commission. In 2012, Matteo joined the American Physical Society (APS), where he is now the Editor of Physics Magazine.
Abstract
Scientists have a responsibility to share the meaning and implications of their work, but receive little training in communication, and often feel unprepared to communicate with the public, the media, public officers and others outside their own field. In this 1-hour workshop, I will present a structured approach to writing a scientific paper, focusing on the preparation of a high-impact paper in physics. I will also share some general thoughts on science communication from my experience as a writer, editor, press officer and scientific consultant to policy makers.