Throughout June 2023 we are showcasing interdisciplinary artificial intelligence (AI) research at the U of A that demonstrates how the university is leading with purpose to make AI safer, reliable and more just.
Ehsan Hashemi is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the U of A and the director of the Networked Optimization, Diagnosis and Estimation (NODE) Laboratory, which focuses on estimation and diagnosis in cyber-physical systems, human-robot cooperative controls and distributed control to improve reliability and performance in robotic, assistive robotic and intelligent transport systems.
In this week’s spotlight, Ehsan explains how we can improve reliability and enhance safety of AI systems through communication with humans, but also the extent to which we should limit our reliance on AI for safety critical tasks.
What is AI?
AI or artificial intelligence is the intelligence that machines have in terms of perceiving, understanding and processing information like the way humans do.
Briefly explain your field of research and how it involves AI.
My field of research is focused on how humans interact with AI physically or visually, how we can leverage the connectivity between different autonomous agents when they are interacting with humans using communication, how with this communication we can enhance or improve the reliability of the system and how we can enhance the safety of cooperative autonomous systems working with humans using physics-informed machine learning and AI.
How is AI affecting our lives and what is a common misconception people have?
AI has a great impact on our lives. In everything from Google to digital marketing structures and advertisements to generative AI like ChatGPT, which is a topic these days, to cameras in cars that detect pedestrians and objects and the aerospace industry, AI has contributed a lot. One of the big misconceptions about AI is that it can predict or estimate unknowns or uncertainties in the model that we have, especially for safety critical tasks and tasks in which safety is a big concern. This is a big misconception, and it needs a deeper understanding of the problem and to what order we can limit our reliance on AI.
What is the long term future of AI? And how is the U of A leading in this space?
AI will contribute to many aspects of our lives including healthcare, diagnosis, assistive devices, analyzing climate change and sustainability, the energy sector and even predicting the material properties of different alloys. Most importantly for me, robotics and autonomous driving is affecting many aspects of our life, and I would say the University of Alberta is one of the leading players in this field, not only in Canada, but also internationally. This includes our different departments, faculty members focusing on AI and Amii that we have in Edmonton. Alberta has been a great contributor to AI.
What do people entering the workforce need to know about AI?
I would say a strong background in mathematics and programming are required to work in the AI sector and move towards developing the reliable or safe AI that everyone is seeking. These are the two essential elements for people who are interested in AI and want to contribute to the field.
This conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.
About Ehsan
Ehsan Hashemi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the U of A with an adjunct appointment in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He is the director of the Networked Optimization, Diagnosis and Estimation (NODE) Laboratory, which focuses on estimation and diagnosis in cyber-physical systems, human-robot cooperative controls and distributed controls to improve reliability and performance in robotic and intelligent transport systems. He was a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo and a Visiting Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden). His research interests include control theory, autonomous navigation, networked robotics, and cooperative autonomous systems.
Innovator Spotlight is a series that introduces you to a faculty or staff member whose discoveries, knowledge and ideas are driving innovation.
Do you know someone at the U of A who is transforming ideas into remarkable realities? Maybe it’s you! We are interested in hearing from people who are helping shape the future, improving quality of life, driving economic growth and diversification and serving the public. We feature people working across all disciplines, whether they are accelerating solutions in energy, shaping the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence or forging new paths in health and Indigenous leadership.
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