On October 24, 2024, the 6th session of the "Dialogue with Masters" series was successfully held at the Turing Auditorium of the Institute for AI Industry Research (AIR) at Tsinghua University. The event featured a distinguished guest, Martin E. Hellman, a recipient of the Turing Award, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and an emeritus professor of electrical engineering at Stanford University. He delivered a vivid and accessible discussion on various topics, including academic research, career development, and AI technology.
Following his presentation, Professor Zhang Ya-Qin, the Dean of AIR, moderated a fireside chat with Professor Hellman that sparked an inspiring discussion on this year's Nobel Prize in AI, pathways to success, and more. Professor Hellman shared insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that while AI is not always reliable, humans can use AI effectively. He noted that the field of AI must find a balance between effective algorithms and computational power, rather than merely pursuing efficiency or profit. Furthermore, privacy issues in the AI era remain a significant challenge, with an ongoing need to balance convenience and privacy protection as a crucial topic in technological advancement.
In the face of rapid technological iterations and intense academic competition in the AI age, Professor Hellman asserted that meaningful work requires a degree of courage or confidence, suggesting that one should be willing to act even with incomplete knowledge. He highlighted the importance of not fearing the appearance of being a "fool" when confronted with the risk of failure, as opportunities for success may be hidden in seemingly futile attempts. He encouraged researchers to embrace mistakes, stating that taking bold risks is key to success. Professor Zhang Yaqin also emphasized that scientific research sometimes relies on intuition and incomplete knowledge, asserting that one should not be hindered by the pursuit of "comprehensive" information.
For young researchers, Professor Hellman offered invaluable advice drawn from his own experiences and the stories behind scientific discoveries:
Dare to Do Foolish Things: Professor Hellman recounted a story of his wife overcoming fear through tarot cards, emphasizing the importance of courage in confronting fears and understanding the essence of things. He reflected on his own experiences of being ridiculed by peers for his research in cryptography, crediting his willingness to appear "foolish" as key to his technical breakthroughs. He cited the example of GPS inventor Bradford Parkinson, who, despite initial skepticism about costs, foresaw the potential of the digital revolution and ultimately succeeded.
Succeed Then Change the World: Hellman shared his life journey, explaining how he initially pursued personal achievements before addressing global issues. He used a collaborative publication project in the Soviet Union in 1984 as an example, suggesting that young people need to accumulate resources and influence before effecting meaningful change. He emphasized that what appears to be a deviation from the path may actually be the best route to achieving goals, encouraging youth to believe that effort and time can lead to positive transformations.
Trust Your Gut and Thinking: Recalling an incident where he helped a student facing a challenging problem in high-dimensional space, Hellman advised the student to trust his instincts and reasoning, leading to the student's eventual success. Currently engaged in work related to international relations, he called for a shift from confrontation to cooperation among nations, believing that scientists can play a crucial role in this process. As an advocate for peaceful international relations, he proposed preemptively identifying potential crises to avert the risks of conflict.
For the younger generation, Professor Hellman stressed the importance of cultivating a global perspective and encouraged students to critically examine existing assumptions while remaining vigilant and questioning in the face of an overwhelming influx of information. Professor Zhang Yaqin pointed out the unexpected challenges that current geopolitical tensions pose for young scholars, such as visa issues, and advocated for efforts to promote academic freedom. Professor Hellman expressed his agreement, committing to continue working towards academic freedom and fostering positive change.
