The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence: A Conversation with Professor Wu Fei
As we sit down with Professor Wu Fei, a renowned expert in artificial intelligence from Zhejiang University, it’s clear that his gentle and refined demeanor belies a sharp mind and a deep understanding of the subject. Throughout our conversation, he exercises restraint and calm, carefully considering each question before offering insightful and thought-provoking responses.
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence
Professor Wu Fei acknowledges that artificial intelligence has indeed become a hot topic in recent years, but he disputes the notion that it’s a sudden development. “From my own experience and research point of view,” he explains, “I don’t think artificial intelligence suddenly heated up one day. The reason why the outside world thinks so is because of recent media attention.”
He identifies three phases in the development of artificial intelligence: the early 1990s, when computer hardware progress was the main focus; the late 1990s, when statistical learning theory and methods like SVM and nuclear theory were prominent; and the current era, where large data-driven learning methods like deep learning dominate the field.
The Importance of Data-Driven Learning
Professor Wu Fei emphasizes the significance of data-driven learning in the current stage of artificial intelligence development. “As the link between things, development of the Internet, human society, and the physical world information space all the time, everywhere, massive data constantly emerging in this space,” he notes. “Emerging massive data and computing means to enhance and promote the development of data-driven study of artificial intelligence, making it a hot spot of concern.”
Teaching and Research in Artificial Intelligence
When asked about the strong preference for AI-related courses among students, Professor Wu Fei attributes it to the industry’s current needs and the media’s interpretation of artificial intelligence. “Some students will naturally preference in the study of artificial intelligence, artificial intelligence efforts toward this direction,” he explains.
He also notes that the traditional core curriculum, such as operating systems and databases, still has its heat, but it’s not a blind pursuit of artificial intelligence at the expense of other disciplines. “Any discipline, it is always in development, self-adjustment in development, self-improvement and self-innovation,” he says. “I think is not to say, heat the operating system or database now keep up with the heat of artificial intelligence, it shows our forest for the trees, artificial intelligence, but that reflects the needs of this era.”
Collaboration between Universities and Industry
Professor Wu Fei highlights the importance of collaboration between universities and industry in the field of artificial intelligence. “The cooperation between enterprises and universities, most of the basic theory of a clear application background research or core algorithm breakthrough, rather than using readily available technology university, ready-made model approach to immediately solve the problems facing enterprises,” he explains.
He cites several examples of joint laboratories and research centers established between Zhejiang University and industry partners, including Alibaba, Hikvision, and Shang Technology. “The specific production process of these requirements is this: for example, total internal Ali made a number of difficult issues to be resolved, which a number of technical difficulties, the first selection by internal Ali, chose to work further with the Zhejiang University research topic, and then these topics suitable for docking with the Zhejiang University professor, through open discussion, Ali finally a team together a team of professors in cooperation with Zhejiang University to jointly study and solve the difficult problems.”
Funding and Research
When asked about the funding for these joint laboratories, Professor Wu Fei explains that it’s provided by the industry partners. “For example, the ‘Zhejiang University - Hikvision Vision Intelligent Computing Joint Research Center’ is focused on basic research, such as the depth of reinforcement learning and unsupervised learning,” he notes. “The funding went from Hikvision to Zhejiang University School of Computer Science in cooperation fund expenditure.”
The Future of Artificial Intelligence
As we conclude our conversation with Professor Wu Fei, it’s clear that he is optimistic about the future of artificial intelligence. “The current situation is, as long as you have the time, research and technical reserves accumulation, there is no shortage of research funding,” he says. “The field of artificial intelligence is indeed very high heat, at least research funding is absolutely no shortage of.”