Events

Speaker:  Dr. Guy E. Blelloch, U.A. and Hellen Whitaker University Professor, CMU

Title:  Parallel Algorithms : A Retrospective and Current Directions

Abstract/Bio: TBA

Host:  Yuanhao Wei, UBC Computer Science

Speaker:  Dr. Kimberly Keeton, Principal Software Engineer, Google

Title:  Not Your Grandparents' Memory System

Abstract/Bio:  TBA

Host:  Reto Achermann, UBC Computer Science

Speaker:  Dr. John Stamper, Associate Professor, Human-Computer Institute, CMU

Title:  What is the role of Data Science in the era of Generative AI?

Abstract:  

Within the last few years Large Language Models (LLMs) have created renewed interest in AI in Education. Although LLMs have the potential to help students learn, we need data-informed insights more than ever. We explore how to best use data to inform AI for education, and best practices for the collection and curation of data from educational technologies.

Bio: 

John Stamper is an Associate Professor at the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. He is also the Technical Director of the Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center DataShop. His primary areas of research include Educational Data Mining and Intelligent Tutoring Systems. As Technical Director, John oversees the DataShop, which is the largest open data repository of transactional educational data and a set of associated visualization and analysis tools for researchers in the learning sciences. John received his PhD in Information Technology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, holds an MBA from the University of Cincinnati, and a BS in Systems Analysis from Miami University.  Prior to returning to academia, John spent over ten years in the software industry including working with several start-ups.  

Host:  Ilya Musabirov, UBC Computer Science

This award recognizes a self-identified female student in a post-secondary Computer Science program who has inspired young women to explore or pursue careers in technology. Candidates may be nominated for leadership in clubs, women’s groups, hackathons, outreach events, or community initiatives that serve as role models for peers and younger generations. Nominators (including self-nominations) must submit a 500-word essay on the student’s contributions and impact to Gina van Dalen at gina_vandalen@cscan-infocan.ca

Speaker:  Dr. J. Ross Mitchell, Canada CIFAR AI Chair, Professor in Department of Medicine and Adjunct Professor in Computer Science, University of Alberta

Title:  Generative AI in Healthcare

Abstract:

This presentation provides an overview of the transformative potential of Generative AI in healthcare. The talk begins with the evolution of AI from early rule-based systems to modern transformer architectures, emphasizing the significant computational investments required for training large language models.

The presentation examines three key application areas: Medical Documentation, where AI systems can automatically analyze clinical reports and extract relevant medical information with high accuracy; AI Scribes & Assistants, which record patient encounters and generate clinical notes, significantly reducing documentation burden and improving physician productivity and satisfaction; and Medical Imaging, leveraging foundation models for automated organ segmentation and disease detection across various medical imaging modalities.

A central theme is the importance of secure, private infrastructure for processing sensitive healthcare data, enabling organizations to deploy open-source AI models while maintaining data privacy and compliance requirements. The presentation demonstrates real-world implementations across major healthcare systems, showing substantial adoption rates and positive outcomes.

Looking forward, the vision extends toward comprehensive ambient AI assistance that supports healthcare workflows before, during, and after patient encounters - from pre-visit preparation and real-time clinical decision support to post-visit documentation and patient communication. The ultimate goal is to reduce administrative burden on healthcare providers while enhancing care quality and patient satisfaction, representing a paradigm shift in how AI can augment healthcare delivery.

Bio:

Dr. Mitchell holds a Canada CIFAR AI Chair and the Alberta Health Services Chair in AI in Health. He is a Professor in the Department of Medicine and an Adjunct Professor in Computer Science at the University of Alberta, and a Fellow at the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute. Previously, he was the inaugural AI Officer at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida (2019-2021), and a Professor of Radiology at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona (2011-2019), where he founded the Division of Medical Imaging Informatics. From 2000 to 2011, he served as a Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology, and Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Calgary. Dr. Mitchell earned his PhD from Western University in Ontario and has dedicated three decades to advancing biomedical imaging, AI, and machine learning in healthcare.  

Host:  Mark Schmidt, UBC Computer Science