Helmholtz AI Conference 2023

The Helmholtz AI Conference 2023 united over 300 AI enthusiasts and researchers from the Helmholtz Association and beyond. Held at the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) in Hamburg from June 12th to 14th, the conference delved into a diverse range of captivating topics. From the realm of general machine learning to the cutting-edge frontiers of machine learning on quantum computers, explainable AI, and sequential data, participants were treated to stimulating series of talks.

See the full program, speaker list and further details about the Helmholtz AI Conference 2023 here.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions have been revolutionizing our world sensibly in the past few years – and are here to stay and continue doing so. Beyond optimized chatbots and spectacular generative tools, AI can provide us with something of much greater importance: the means for enhanced research, thus accelerating the future discoveries in all areas of science, and serving society with unprecedented opportunities to tackle both present and future challenges. Each year, Helmholtz AI has the pleasure of holding the Helmholtz AI Conference, where top experts come and share cutting-edge advancements in AI, facilitating further integration of AI and ML within a variety of scientific fields and democratizing them.

The Helmholtz AI Conference 2023 was a resounding success, uniting over 300 AI enthusiasts and researchers from the Helmholtz Association and beyond. Held at the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) in Hamburg from June 12th to 14th, the conference delved into a diverse range of captivating topics. From the realm of general machine learning to the cutting-edge frontiers of machine learning on quantum computers, explainable AI, and sequential data, participants were treated to stimulating series of talks. An innovative AI consulting booth and a project call booth were available, providing valuable opportunities to explore consultancy services and learn about our annual project call.

Undoubtedly, a prominent part of the conference was the participation of our two brilliant keynote speakers. Zeynep Akata, a Professor of Computer Science (W3) within the Cluster of Excellence Machine Learning at the University of Tübingen, captivated the audience on day one speaking about “Explainability in Deep Learning Through Communication.” Max Welling, an esteemed Research Chair and Full Professor in Machine Learning at the University of Amsterdam, as well as a Distinguished Scientist at Microsoft Research, gave a remarkable presentation, titled “On Fluids and Representations” on day two. A noteworthy event was the exceptional panel discussion on “Foundation Models" that followed between our Scientific Director Fabian Theis, Wolfgang Hildesheim from IBM, Jenia Jitsev and both of our keynote speakers.

In addition to the engaging talks, the Helmholtz AI Conference 2023 also showcased an enthralling poster session, where more than 80 researchers shared their incredible work in a competitive environment. At the end of the second day, Georgios Antonopoulos claimed the first-place position, followed by Zahra Lakdawala in second place, and Nikolaos Nikolaou in third, culminating in an exciting award ceremony aboard the MS KOI ship on the Elbe River. Participants were treated to a delightful tour of Hamburg on water while enjoying our official conference dinner.

The third and final day of the conference, held at Kuppel Hamburg, was a collaborative endeavour between Helmholtz AI and Helmholtz Imaging, connecting the two communities. We were honoured to host Hot Topic Talks and sessions, featuring renowned experts such as Björn Menze, Björn Ommer, and Anna Kreshuk. A particularly distinctive segment of the program was the Unconference, where traditional norms were disregarded, allowing participants to actively drive discussions, pitch their passion topics, and collaborate with a diverse range of experts.

The Helmholtz AI Conference 2023 served as a catalyst for reaching collaborative breakthroughs, forging lasting connections, and propelling the field of Al towards new frontiers of discovery.  We express our deepest gratitude to our esteemed speakers, panellists, and participants for the unforgettable three days we shared together.

We eagerly anticipate your presence once again next June in Düsseldorf. Be the first to receive updates on next year’s conference by subscribing to our newsletter, as we continue our collective journey towards democratizing AI for science!