Distinguished Lecture: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 4:00 PM Central | McMurtry Auditorium in Duncan Hall at Rice University

Scott Huffman, VP, Google Labs, LLM-based Language Applications, Google; Founder, Google Assistant

Talk: What to Make of Large Language Models?

Abstract: Large Language Models — machine learned AI models that can understand and generate language — have emerged as the hottest new technology in a decade, allowing computers to exhibit capabilities they’ve never shown before. In this talk, we’ll start with a high level overview of what makes these models work. Next, we’ll explore three significant challenges that arise when trying to use LLMs to build real products (grounding, tuning, and complex reasoning), and how people are tackling them. Finally, we’ll look at some exciting applications of LLMs being built at Google Labs.

Bio: Scott Huffman is a Vice President at Google, where he leads the Language Applications team in Google Labs, focused on creating new applications using Generative Language Models. Prior to joining Google Labs, Scott founded and led the Google Assistant team, creating Google’s voice-based AI for the home, phone, car, TV, and watch. Prior to that he led Google’s efforts around mobile search and voice search. Scott has a PhD in computer science from the University of Michigan, where he focused on AI, machine learning, and natural language understanding, and did his undergraduate work at Carnegie Mellon University. He has authored dozens of academic papers in IR, NLU and ML, and is the inventor or co-inventor on several patents.

Sponsored by: The Ken Kennedy Institute | Rice University Department of Computer Science

Registration: Free to attend.

Reception to follow. RSVP to stay updated on event details.