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Bilateral AI Research Retreat: A gathering of minds

13.12.2024

The first Bilateral AI (BILAI) retreat, held on December 6th and 7th, 2024, in Vienna, marked a pivotal moment for the project. For the first time, leading researchers from across Austria’s top institutions came together to establish the foundation for a shared mission: combining sub-symbolic and symbolic AI to pioneer Broad AI.

A Milestone for Innovation and Collaboration This gathering provided a unique opportunity to foster dialogue with respect to diverse research modules, align strategic priorities, and strengthen synergies within the cluster. The focus was on exploring the interfaces between symbolic and sub-symbolic approaches and optimizing their integration to advance neurosymbolic AI. Symbolic methods offer structured, explainable decision-making processes, while sub-symbolic techniques like neural networks excel in pattern recognition and learning. By merging these two paradigms, the project aims to create hybrid solutions that are both powerful and interpretable key components of Broad AI.

Key Outcomes of the Retreat

•    Clarification of Research Objectives: Open questions were addressed, and updates on research modules were specified.
•    Enhanced Collaboration Strategies: New approaches were developed to better integrate symbolic and sub-symbolic methods for practical applications.
•    Planning Hybrid Cross-Domain Events: These events will serve as platforms to intensify interdisciplinary exchanges and tackle complex challenges collaboratively.

Synergy Through Expertise

Each researcher brought unique expertise to the table, creating a synergy that sparked exciting new avenues for exploration. This retreat laid the groundwork for innovative solutions that will shape the future of AI research. With clear goals, innovative strategies, and a strengthened team spirit, BILAI is poised to lead the way in developing Broad AI. The success of this retreat sets a promising tone for future collaborations within this groundbreaking initiative.