Symposium

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize everything from research to education and healthcare. In every instance, embracing this innovation must be balanced against fears concerning loss of privacy, lack of transparency, increase in inequality, and other social and economic issues. Scientists, in collaboration with policymakers, industry leaders and the public, play an important role in shaping an AI future that benefits all. In recognition of the timeliness and sizable implications of AI in our state, the Washington State Academy of Sciences brought together scientists, industry professionals, and policymakers at our 17th annual symposium, “AI for Washington State: Using Artificial Intelligence to explore, discover and understand.” Attendees, including WSAS members, members of WA State’s research and AI communities, and state policymakers, discussed the many challenges and opportunities related to research applying AI to critical state industries including climate, agriculture and health.

John Roll, WSAS President

Mike Goodchild, WSAS Board Member & Symposium Chair

Marcia McNutt, President, National Academy of Sciences

Eric Horvitz, Chief Scientific Officer, Microsoft

Moderator: Deborah Gracio, Associate Laboratory Director, National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Panelists:

• Dale Durran, Professor, University of Washington; Principal Research Scientist, Climate, Nvidia
• Lai-yung Ruby Leung, Battelle Fellow, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
• Benjamin L. Richards, Senior Marine Scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Magdalena Balazinska, Director, Professor, and Bill & Melinda Gates Chair, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington; Member of Washington State Artificial Intelligence Task Force

Moderator: Eric Horvitz, Chief Scientific Officer, Microsoft

Panelists:

• Ananth Kalyanaraman, Director, AgAID Institute; Professor and Boeing Centennial Chair in Computer Science, Washington State University
• Ranveer Chandra, CTO of Agri-Food, Managing Director of Research for Industry, and head of Networking Research at Microsoft Research
• Zachary New, Senior Member, Deep Learning Team, Carbon Robotics
• André Coleman, Chief Scientist, Geospatial Science, Analytics, and Geointelligence Lead, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Moderator: Mari Ostendorf, Vice Provost for Research, University of Washington

Panelists:

• Samantha Erwin, Team Lead, One Health and Biodefense, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
• Lynda Stuart, Executive Director, Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington
• Taran Gujral, Associate Professor, Human Biology Division, Fred Hutch Cancer Center
• Anna Zamora-Kapoor, Assistant Professor, Washington State University

Mike Goodchild will lead a discussion with Mari Ostendorf, UW, and Bo Zhao, UW, on the broader ethical implications of human interactions with AI.

Mike Goodchild, WSAS Board Member & Symposium Chair

Webinar Sponsor

Chair, Michael Goodchild, Emeritus Professor, University of California, Santa Barbara

Deborah Gracio, Associate Laboratory Director, National Security Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Eric Horvitz, Chief Scientific Officer, Microsoft

Ed Lazowska, Professor, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington

Mari Ostendorf, Vice Provost for Research, University of Washington