– The ICAPAI conference 16th of April went very well, says associate professor at Ostfold university collage, Hasan Ogul. Alongside Jonas Aamodt Moræus from IFE, his role was to be the general chair for the conference.
– Together, we oversaw the overall planning, coordination, and execution of the conference that featured excellent scientific contributions, he says.
Ogul answers the following about the conference:
Why is it important to gather researchers like this?
– Conferences like ICAPAI provide a platform for researchers to share their latest findings, methodologies, and applications in artificial intelligence and machine learning. This facilitates the dissemination of knowledge and promotes collaboration among experts in the field. Participants have the chance to network with peers, potential collaborators, and experts from academia and industry. These interactions can lead to new research collaborations, partnerships, and opportunities for building new projects.
What benefits do you think participants gain from such a gathering?
– In general, participating in conferences like ICAPAI offers several benefits, including knowledge sharing, networking opportunities, staying updated on the latest developments, and receiving feedback on research. This helps participants remain at the forefront of their area of expertise and ensures that their work remains relevant and impactful. These benefits contribute to the the professional growth of individual researchers.
Which countries do the participants come from? Is there groundbreaking research being presented?
– Participants at ICAPAI come from various countries, with roughly half originating from Norway, and others from different parts of Europe, including Finland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and Turkey, as well as from Asia, such as India and Saudi Arabia, and both the United States and Latin America.
The research presented at ICAPAI involved significant contributions across various AI dimensions, including technical advancements such as new algorithms and computational models, as well as innovative applications in healthcare and smart environments, alongside explorations of the ethical and social implications of AI.
What were some of the topics presented?
– The presentations at ICAPAI mainly focused on three areas:
Smart Cities and Environments: This includes discussions about how AI can be used to make cities and environments more efficient and sustainable, such as through smart traffic management systems, smart forests or energy-efficient buildings.
Intelligence in Healthcare and Biomedicine: Researchers explored how AI can improve healthcare and medical practices, like diagnosing diseases more accurately, personalizing treatments, or assisting people in their daily life.
Ethical, Societal, and Organizational Issues in AI: This category delved into the ethical considerations surrounding AI, like concerns about privacy, bias, or the impact of digitalization on jobs and society as a whole.
Could you say a few brief words about the projects presented by HiØ-researchers?
– The article by Ruslan Sorano et al. (Computer Science at HiØ in collaboration with Østfold Hospital Kalnes) presents a computational approach using evolutionary algorithms and machine learning to improve the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, a serious medical condition. This research aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.
The article by Halvdan Haugsbakken and Marianne Hagelia (from Teacher Education) explores the evolving landscape of AI literacy in the context of the algorithmic age. The paper discusses the importance of either prompt engineering or educational promptization in shaping AI literacy.
Who was responsible for the conference?
– The conference is a joint effort between the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) and Østfold University College (HiØ), with both institutions collaborating on equal terms. On the HiØ side, the organization is led by the Machine Learning Research Group from the Department of Computer Science and Communication. While this group leads the organization, other individuals from HiØ are involved in paper reviews, indicating a collaborative effort from various departments within the university.
Is it an advantage to have ICAPAI in the same week as AI+?
– Yes, absolutely! Combining ICAPAI and AI+ during the same week is advantageous because it gathers people from academia and industry simultaneously, promoting collaboration and the efficient use of resources. This joint effort enhances visibility and impact within the AI community while also advancing Halden's vision of becoming a hub for AI activities.
Anything else you'd like to highlight?
– One noteworthy highlight is the inclusion of two excellent keynote speakers. Robertas Damaševicius delivered a keynote on Smart Forests to shed light on how IoT (Internet of Things) and AI technologies are revolutionizing forestry management with applications in environmental conservation and sustainability.
The keynote by Miguel A. Ferrer provided valuable insights into the kinematic modeling of human movements, offering a unified approach that could have significant implications for various fields such as biometry, healthcare, animal husbandry and monitoring.
Link to ICAPAI conference and program
Hasan Ogul
Associate Professor
Department of Computer Science and Communication