2023
Jimmy Ba
Developing learning algorithms for better problem-solving machines
2023
Developing learning algorithms for better problem-solving machines
Computer scientist Jimmy Ba is working to address a big AI question: How can we build problem-solving machines that are more human-like in their efficiency and adaptability?
“I try to understand and build reliable, generally intelligent machines to help us understand the world better,” he explains. Dr. Ba’s research has had a major impact in the field of deep learning and garnered him the 2023 Sloan Fellowship.
“Getting these machines to understand our human values is probably the hardest part,” he says of the challenge. “This is the hardest technical challenge our entire species will ever face.”
Dr. Ba develops efficient learning algorithms for deep neural networks. He has also addressed the computational cost of training ensembles of neural networks, contributed to fundamental reinforcement learning algorithms and advanced computer scientists’ theoretical understanding of deep neural networks.
On winning the Sloan Fellowship, he is quick to thank his students and colleagues, “who have propelled me to where I am.” He describes the fellowship as “a very exciting opportunity.”
Dr. Ba received his PhD from the University of Toronto, where he was supervised by Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Hinton, often called the godfather of AI.
