As an institution at the forefront of technology and sciences, Caltech wants to provide its students and researchers with the most critical tools that help them with their research. As with computers a few decades ago, Machine Learning is increasingly becoming indispensable in most disciplines, especially for those pushing the boundaries of science and technology. This course will help our graduate students and researchers become comfortable using ML in their research, understand the underlying concepts used in ML and AI, and better grasp when to use ML (and when not to use it) in their study.
What is the AI Bootcamp?
The main goal of the EAS AI Bootcamp is to help participants understand when and how to effectively use AI within their research, as well as to identify its appropriate contexts and limitations. Right now, this bootcamp will be a quick but intensive one-week course running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will reoccur eight to 10 times a year. However, we are open to adjusting the frequency and duration based on the feedback we receive.
The bootcamp is geared toward graduate students and postdocs, as these groups stand to gain significant advantages from incorporating AI into their research.
As a comparison, 40 years ago, there were a lot of physicists and chemists who could benefit from using a computer, but they didn't know how. At that time, computers were too expensive and difficult to use. But now, the computer has become a daily tool for everyone. Scientists can benefit from computers quite a bit—running models, doing calculations, performing research, etc. Now, AI is at the stage that the computer was 40 years ago. We must bring scientists on board to be able to use AI effectively.
Who is the ideal candidate for the AI Bootcamp?
The ideal candidate is a graduate student or postdoc who already knows Python and the basic math required to understand AI—linear algebra, calculus, and probability theory. In addition to knowing the underlying science that goes behind machine learning (ML), the ideal participant in the bootcamp should also have relevant research that AI can help with. One goal of the bootcamp is to help participants map their research to fit into a framework where ML works best.
Continue reading: Empowering Researchers with AI: A Conversation with Reza Sadri, Director of Caltech's New AI Bootcamp
