News on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
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AUGUST 15th, 2022
New funding available!
Researchers at the University of Alberta in any discipline are invited to propose projects, grant preparation ideas, and big question events for funding support from AI4Society.
Voyant Tools wins the Zampolli Prize!
The Zampolli Prize is the highest recognition for Digital Humanities researchers and this year is was awarded to Voyant Tools! AI4Society Associate Director Dr. Geoffrey Rockwell is a key part of the growth and success of Voyant tools, a powerful application that help you “see through your text”.
As part of his commentary on the triennial lecture he gave University of Tokyo for this recognition, Geoffrey comments “The genius of of Stéfan Sinclair who passed in August 2020. Voyant was his vision from the time of his dissertation for which he develop HyperPo.”
Read the full article, access his lecture and much more here.
Reimagining Architecture and Urbanism in the Post-Pandemic World’ through illustration - a Juried Competition!
We are proud of announcing this cash pried competition for all those working in any way on the graphic design, visual creation, and similar that are interested on sharing their views on the world after the COVID 19 pandemic. You can win up to $1,000 plus having a in person and online exhibition, followed by a publication. Best part: there are no registration fees and everyone is invited to participate!
The ‘Reimagining Architecture and Urbanism in the Post-Pandemic World’ illustration contest is open to reimagine design and cities through drawings or images. The Covid-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for lifestyle changes likely to persist even after the pandemic subsides. This requires new approaches to the design of the built environments. Such new challenges demand building a base of knowledge of what has been learned from the pandemic and educated projections about what will follow.
Find more information, registration, and more in our website
Happening again in August!
Are you ready for a new edition of Replaying Japan in this 2023?!
AI4Society is co-hosting this traditional event together with the Prince Takamado Japan Centre, the Kule Institute for Advanced Study, the University of Delaware, Bath Spa University, Seijoh University, University of Liège, Université du Québec à Montréal and DiGRA Japan.
Online and in person, held in Japan you can join keynote speakers Dr. James York, Dr. Yoshihiro Kishimoto, Clara Fernández-Vara and an impressive list of speakers from August 25th to 27th. Find out more including how to register here!
Society, Culture and Technology
Global Ethics Day 2022
October 19th, 2022
An event organized by the Carnegie Council. Now in its 9th year, #GlobalEthicsDay is an annual moment when citizens, nonprofits, businesses, schools, and institutions from around the world take action to empower ethics. In 2021 alone, we had over 170 organizations across 45 countries participate.
More information here.
AI Reading
The Technological Society, Book
Written by University of Alberta researchers Dirk Lindebaum, Christine C Moser, Mehreen Ashraf and Vern L. Glaser.
Abstract
We review Jacques Ellul’s book The Technological Society to highlight ‘technique’ – the book’s central phenomenon – and its theoretical relevance for organizational and institutional theorists. Technique is defined as “the totality of methods rationally arrived at and having absolute efficiency . . . in every field of human activity” in society (1964: xxv, italics added). More than simply ‘machine technology’, technique involves the rational pursuit of standardized means or practices for attaining predetermined results. What makes Ellul both unique and relevant for organizational and institutional theorists is his historical analysis delineating the characteristics of, and the processes through which, technique has evolved into an autonomic and agentic force. We build on and mobilize Ellul’s analysis to explore two aims in
this essay. First, we aim to illuminate the process through which technique transforms values – a process we describe as the mechanization of values in organizations and institutions. Second, we identify the consequences of value mechanization for organizational scholarship. We discuss the wider ramifications of Ellul’s work for management theory, practise, and education.
Microsoft Research Newsletter
Virtually every product Microsoft has released over the past three decades has been influenced by Microsoft researchers. Get the latest developments and opportunities by subscribing to the Microsoft Research Newsletter.
You will get periodically highlights from research areas such as AI, systems, security, programming, theory and other sciences; Information on upcoming events and conferences; the latest career and learning opportunities including full-time positions, internships, residency programs and postdoctoral positions; and much more!
Who
Any UofAlberta community member (faculty, researcher, or student) interested in any and all aspects of Artificial Intelligence!
Why
- To stay informed about AI-related funding opportunities and events (research grants, internships, competitions, ...)
- To access AI4Society support for research and teaching initiatives
- To profile your research and to collaborate with other community members, through our Forum.
How
Send an email with a brief description of your affiliation, interests, and activities related to artificial intelligence to ai4s@ualberta.ca.
