A conversation with Professor Neil Lawrence, Director of Machine Learning at Amazon Research

As the practice of data science and AI evolves and permeates all aspects of society, the need to understand its impact increases.

In this wide ranging interview, Professor Neil Lawrence, Director of Machine Learning at Amazon Research, touches on a number of thought provoking topics. Neil discusses the need for a set of best practises and standardization around data science and how achievable that is in this fast moving field.

He is a also a frequent commenter on the connections between humans, data, and computers. Specifically the issue of low bandwidth human, high bandwidth computing and the challenges this creates.

Returning to the theme of best practises, Neil discuss how we have traditionally deployed technology in the real world, humans adapting to machines. For early AI systems, which may be fragile in their environment, we may need new thinking around the real world deployment of AI.

Neil also discusses his involvement in the excellent Royal Society report on Machine Learning.

Sheamus McGovern, ODSC