Computer Science Guest Speaker Series: Decentralized Artificial Intelligence
THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE GRADUATE SEMINAR 2021
Guest Speaker Series Presented By:
Dr. Muhammad Khan
"Decentralized Artificial Intelligence"
Friday, April 16, 2021
12:00 pm
Abstract:
Artificial intelligence at scale requires significant infrastructure and knowhow beyond the field. As a result, the development of cutting edge AI solutions has become the prerogative of a handful of corporations. This centralization of AI raises several technical and ethical issues around algorithm quality, human resource utilization and bias. Blockchain technology provides a means to build a more robust AI ecosystem in which different entities can not only participate but also collaborate without compromising their respective interests. Several projects already exist that enable small companies and independent developers to build AI services in the cloud and monetize them through public blockchains. As someone who is involved, I will provide an overview of the state of the art and the upcoming developments in this space.
Biography:
After a decade-long career in academia across three continents, Dr. Muhammad Khan took over as the VP Technology at InBridge Inc, which is a Canadian company building AI and blockchain solutions for industry.
He is spearheading the development of InBridge's IoT powered blockchain platform for environmental monitoring supported by the National Research Council (NRC) Canada as well as its enterprise AI and blockchain projects. Muhammad is a member of the Hyperledger Blockchain Media & Entertainment Group and helps in the development of Canadian technology standards at the CIO Strategy Council. With a masters from the University of Cambridge and a PhD from Calgary, he has held faculty positions at U of Calgary and Lethbridge among others.
He has over thirty publications on graph algorithms, software engineering, data science and blockchain technology, including a book. Over the years, his research has attracted funding from Cambridge Trusts, Noon Foundation, National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Canada, Alberta Innovates, Vanier-Banting Secretariat, Killam Trusts and Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta. Muhammad is passionate about building the Canadian tech ecosystem and supporting women entrepreneurs. In March 2019, he co-organized the BCHack Blockchain Hackathon and, in May, mentored a team of women from Lethbridge, Alberta, to third place finish in CryptoChicks International AI and Blockchain Hackathon. He has since developed and presented multiple emerging tech workshop series for entrepreneurs under the Western Economic Diversification (WED) Canada Women in STEM Program.
To register for this virtual event, please email grad.compsci@lakeheadu.ca and a Zoom link will be shared.
Everyone is welcome.