Seminar: Symbolic reasoning (Dr Ruth Hoffmann)

Talk presented by Dr Ruth Hoffmann, followed by a group discussion.

Abstract:
Symbolic Reasoning (or Symbolic AI) consists of the logical modelling and an exhaustive search for definite solutions to problems. Whether that is finding the solution of a sudoku, finding an optimal route for delivery vehicles or creating kidney matching chains, symbolic AI and logic are the building blocks of this type of reasoning. We will be exploring the foundations of (Symbolic) AI, logic and search, and what type of intelligence it might represent.

Speaker bio:
Dr Ruth Hoffmann is a Lecturer at the School of Computer Science, where she is also the Head of the AI Research Theme. She obtained her PhD at St Andrews and has spent some time at the University of Glasgow before returning to St Andrews. She has a background in Discrete Mathematics and Computational Combinatorics. Her research broadly focuses on efficiently finding (smaller) patterns inside bigger (target) structures. Currently, she is teaching the Symbolic AI module she developed.

Ruth is leading an UKRI project on improving search algorithms in one field, while taking inspiration from another search. She is a reviewer for numerous top AI, and Constraints venues, and a co-chair for a coding workshop for GAP (a computational algebra tool).

The AI Seminar Series is hosted by the GRCDI and led by Centre member Dr Kasim Terzić from the School of Computer Science. This in-person series for GRCDI members kicks off with a group discussion session, followed by four lectures delivered by colleagues from the School of Computer Science: Dr Kasim Terzić, Dr Ruth Hoffmann and a joint lecture by Dr Nguyen Dang and Dr Phong Le. There will be time for discussion following each lecture.

The series will culminate in December with a further discussion session where participants can reflect on and discuss a question central to research on artificial intelligence: whether intelligence can be computed.