"I Am Impressed by the Sirius Atmosphere"

Mathematical aspects of machine-aided learning were a focal point of the event. One of the conference's organizers was Eric Moulines, Head of the HSE International Laboratory of Stochastic Algorithms and High-Dimensional Inference, a professor of Paris Institute of Technology, and a member of the Academy of Science of France. Professor Moulines shared his impressions of the conference and Russian science in general. 

Over the course of 4 days, the conference's participants—more than 50 students from Russia, Germany, and France—participated in mini-courses where they studied three current trends of the modern-day machine-aided learning.   

‘I am impressed with the Sirius atmosphere,’ said Professor Moulines. ‘The work process was so well organized, that we were able to focus on science and our goals only. This conference is turning into a unique international platform where student researchers can have the opportunity to learn the latest trends from the world's experts.’

Professor Moulines has been working in Russia for three years now. He became an academic supervisor of the HSE International Laboratory in 2018. Eric Moulines sees his fundamental goal in promoting cooperation between the countries and engaging high-achieving students in research. 

‘I've been fascinated with Russia since school, which is why I was so excited to get the offer to work here. I spend several months a year here, and every time I see how many really talented students and my colleagues are in Russia. Now we are trying to develop an international collaboration. I'd like my students from France to come here, and students and young researchers from Russia to be able to complete postgraduate studies in France. This kind of international experience enriches students’ research and helps them come up with new ideas,’ he said. 

Eric Moulines also noted that international internships and conferences help young specialists see what challenges they can start solving today, and that this tool promotes engaging people in research.

Alexey Naumov, the conference school host, Head of International Laboratory of Stochastic Algorithms and High-Dimensional Inference of HSE Faculty of Computer Science, explained how these measures promote international cooperation, why researchers agree to speak at their colleagues' platforms, and how math makes artificial intelligence safer.