Who: Dario Gil, IBM Senior Vice President and Director of Research
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19
Where: Kane Hall 130
RSVP here
Title: What’s next in computing
Abstract: For the last 60 years, the world of computing has been dominated by binary bits representing the intersection of information and mathematics. We have constantly pushed the boundaries of computation in this paradigm, with innovations in semiconductors reducing energy or increasing performance to enable more sophisticated calculations.
Now, working at the intersection of information and biology, artificial intelligence advances and permeates through ever more applications affecting business and science. Powerful models are now emerging that evolve AI from discrimination to generation, enabling AI to create in new domains. These models are defining an inflection point in AI.
Finally, we are witnessing the growth of a new computing paradigm combining physics and information—quantum computing. It has the potential to solve problems out of reach for even the most powerful supercomputers.
We marvel at the power of each of these computing technologies, but we haven’t fully grasped their most profound implication, one that we will see this decade when we witness their convergence. The result will be the creation of unseen computational power accelerating the rate of discovery of solutions to complex problems. In this lecture, we will reflect on the future of computing and the implications of this convergence of technologies for science, business, and society.
Bio: Dr. Gil is responsible for IBM Research, one of the world’s largest and most influential corporate research labs. He directs innovation strategies in hybrid cloud, AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, and exploratory science. He also leads the technical community of IBM and is responsible for the company’s intellectual property strategy and business.
An advocate of collaborative research models, Dr. Gil co-chairs the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, which advances fundamental AI research for the benefit of industry and society. He also co- chairs the Executive Board of the International Science Reserve, a global network of open scientific communities that provides specialized resources to prepare for and help mitigate urgent, complex global challenges.
Dr. Gil has served on the U.S. President’s Council of Science and Technology (PCAST) and is a member of the National Science Board (NSB), which oversees the National Science Foundation (NSF). He also serves on the President’s Research Council of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), MIT School of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council, and the Aspen Global Cybersecurity Group.
Dr. Gil is on the boards of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), New York Academy of Sciences, New York Hall of Science, and Research!America.
Dr. Gil received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT.