Understanding Biology in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
This conference aims to start a conversation around the role of AI in scientific understanding, and whether breakthroughs in the intersection of AI and biology are pushing us to revise our notion of scientific understanding.
30th June 2023
Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, UK
Keynote Speakers
Sarah Teichmann
Head of Cellular Genetics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, University of Cambridge
Charlotte Deane
Professor of Structural Bioinformatics, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford
Pushmeet Kohli
Vice President of Research (AI for Science, Reliable and Responsible AI), DeepMind
Nicola Richmond
Vice President of Artificial Intelligence, BenevolentAI
Emily Sullivan
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Irène Curie Fellow, Eindhoven University of Technology
Schedule
What place does Artificial Intelligence have
in the traditional picture of scientific understanding?
While machine learning and artificial intelligence methodologies have seen widespread adoption in modern biology, the scientific rationale for applying these models remains underdeveloped.
Many researchers apply AI as “standard practice”, or simply to add additional complexity to their analysis. However, we feel that the effective use of AI in biology requires careful consideration of the theoretical and philosophical aspects of these models and techniques.
This conference aims to build a community of scholars and thought-leaders from artificial intelligence and machine learning, biology and chemistry, as well as philosophy, in order to address biological discovery from three angles: theoretical, scientific, and philosophical.
Scientific Advisory Board
Andreas Bender
Professor of Molecular Informatics, University of Cambridge & Pangea Botanica
Andrew Blake
Fellow, Clare Hall, University of Cambridge & Emeritus Distinguished Scientist, Microsoft
Hasok Chang
Hans Rausing Professor, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge
Holly Hedgeland
Senior Tutor & Fellow in Physics, Clare Hall, University of Cambridge
Lori Passmore
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge & Member, European Molecular Biology Organisation
Petar Veličković
Staff Research Scientist, DeepMind & Affiliated Lecturer, University of Cambridge
Pietro Liò
Professor, Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge
Pietro Sormanni
Group Leader, Royal Society University Research Fellow, University of Cambridge
Sohini Kar-Narayan
Professor, Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge
Organising Committee
Chaitanya K. Joshi
PhD Student, Department of Computer Science and Technology
Artificial Intelligence, Biology
Sponsors and Partners
This conference is possible through a grant from the Accelerate Program for Scientific Discovery at the Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge, as well as the Cambridge Centre for Data-Driven Discovery, and the support of Clare Hall, Cambridge.
Contact Us
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EW
- Register
- Follow us on Twitter
- Email the organisers
Getting Here
Train: For visitors arriving from outside the Greater Cambridge area, travel via Cambridge Railway station is likely to be the easiest transport option. The station is approximately 15 minutes walk from the department. There are also taxis available at the station. Note that rail strikes may affect train availability around the conference.
Bus: Various bus routes connect the Greater Cambridge area to the Department of Chemistry, including the Citi 1, Citi 7, and Universal bus routes. Check the local bus schedules and routes to find the most convenient option for you.
Bicycle: Traveling by bicycle can also be a convenient option, and the Department of Chemistry offers ample bicycle parking facilities.
Car: If you prefer to drive, you can reach the Department of Chemistry by car. Unfortunately the department cannot offer any parking for this event, however, paid parking is available nearby at the Grand Arcade.