De Kai

NEW EXCLUSIVE
  • Statesman of AI and Pioneer in AI Ethics and Policy
  • AI Professor - HKUST, Hong Kong & Distinguished Research Scholar - ICSI, Berkeley
  • Founding Fellow, Association for Computational Linguistics
  • Board Member, The Future Society - an AI policy think tank

De Kai is a pioneering AI scientist who is widely regarded as “the Statesman of AI.” A founder of the contemporary AI field as known today, three decades ago De Kai invented and built the world’s first global-scale online language translator. De Kai continues to push boundaries in AI research, alongside speaking to philosophical questions about the fears and possibilities of humanity's new technology and how we can be empowered to shape our future. De Kai is Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST and Distinguished Research Scholar at Berkeley’s International Computer Science Institute. His cross-disciplinary works relating AI, cognition, language, music, creativity, media arts, ethics and society centers on enabling cultures to relate, and stems from a liberal arts perspective emphasizing creativity in both technical and humanistic dimensions.

De Kai’s groundbreaking projects have spurred the paradigm shift toward today’s state-of-the-art statistical natural language processing technologies. He has done research at Berkeley, UCSD, University of Toronto, Bell Laboratories, Columbia University, TU Munich, and Toronto. He founded HKUST's internationally funded Human Language Technology Center which launched the world's first global-scale online language translator over twenty years ago.

De Kai is among only 17 scientists worldwide named by the Association for Computational Linguistics as a Founding ACL Fellow and has been named one of the 100 most influential figures of Hong Kong. He serves on the board of AI policy think tank TFS (The Future Society), which is heavily involved in drafting the European Union’s forthcoming AI Act. In 2018, Google named De Kai as one of eight inaugural members of its AI Ethics council, ATEAC (Advanced Technology External Advisory Council). Over the past decade, De Kai has given hundreds of talks worldwide on AI ethics, society, and safety.

 


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Past Hosts Include:
  • Allianz Global Investors
  • Julius Baer
  • Telefonica Alpha
  • World Economic Forum
  • Bosphorus Summit
  • AI Summit
  • Necker Island
  • Chatham House
  • Foresight Institute
  • TEDx
Interview with Prof. De Kai on trade trends and AI | World Export Development Forum - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with De Kai
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AI 101: The Future of AI

In this riveting talk, AI pioneer DE KAI shares where this technology is at today – and where it’s going next. Despite the media hype, today ‘AI’ stands for “artificial idiocy.” Our current language learning models (which power tools like ChatGPT) are barely on the cusp of what they’re capable of do ...

In this riveting talk, AI pioneer DE KAI shares where this technology is at today – and where it’s going next. Despite the media hype, today ‘AI’ stands for “artificial idiocy.” Our current language learning models (which power tools like ChatGPT) are barely on the cusp of what they’re capable of doing. De Kai shares the ‘next big thing’ in AI – which is neither ‘big’ nor about ‘things’. De Kai answers profound questions, such as: How will the real AI that’s coming very soon be small and smart, and how will that undermine current planning?

AI 102: What the News Can’t Explain

The UC Berkley International Computer Science Institute’s DE KAIprovides advanced context on what to expect next from the AI revolution. Figure out how to get ahead of the gap between application availability and leveraging the technology for your own business needs. From regulation to ongoing techn ...

The UC Berkley International Computer Science Institute’s DE KAIprovides advanced context on what to expect next from the AI revolution. Figure out how to get ahead of the gap between application availability and leveraging the technology for your own business needs. From regulation to ongoing technological breakthroughs, De Kai ensures your organization will truly understand the capabilities of AI, allowing you to develop in harmony with ongoing advancement.

What is System II Thinking?

HKUST Professor DE KAIexplains that when the rapidly coming AI advances start incorporating System 2 thinking, the technological structures underpinning our society will change significantly. In this unusually insightful talk, De Kai explains the balance between trustworthiness, consistency, and log ...

HKUST Professor DE KAIexplains that when the rapidly coming AI advances start incorporating System 2 thinking, the technological structures underpinning our society will change significantly. In this unusually insightful talk, De Kai explains the balance between trustworthiness, consistency, and logical validity of an Artificial System 2 and the scope of knowledge of an Artificial System 1.

Algorithmic Censorship

Dozens of times a day, AIs determine not only what few hundred things you see (in your social media feed and in search results), but more importantly, what billions of things you don’t see. And since we don’t know what we don’t know – we have no idea how this is manipulating us. DE KAI, the Statesma ...

Dozens of times a day, AIs determine not only what few hundred things you see (in your social media feed and in search results), but more importantly, what billions of things you don’t see. And since we don’t know what we don’t know – we have no idea how this is manipulating us. DE KAI, the Statesman of AI, asks: What are the crucial existential question for society and democracy that keep getting swept under the rug, and how do we tackle them?

Why We Need Artificial Mindfulness

In the ongoing debates about new AI technologies – what they can be used for, who they will benefit, and how they will change society – there are many conflicting opinions. AI innovator DE KAI illuminates the various points of view, challenging our assumptions, and reveals how AI can evolve to be bo ...

In the ongoing debates about new AI technologies – what they can be used for, who they will benefit, and how they will change society – there are many conflicting opinions. AI innovator DE KAI illuminates the various points of view, challenging our assumptions, and reveals how AI can evolve to be both a more effective and a safe tool in the long-run.

Artificial Creativity

Today’s generative AI tools and products fool users into thinking they’ve become truly creative – producing visual art, content, writing, and more at breakneck speed. What are the tricks these AI tools are playing? What are the criteria we should be looking at instead? What kind of creative AI can w ...

Today’s generative AI tools and products fool users into thinking they’ve become truly creative – producing visual art, content, writing, and more at breakneck speed. What are the tricks these AI tools are playing? What are the criteria we should be looking at instead? What kind of creative AI can we expect next?

In this revelatory talk, AI creator and professor DE KAI breaks down how these tools work and what it means for our artists, the creative process, and society as a whole.

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Speaker News

De Kai in the News

The “Statesman of AI,” pioneering technologist DE KAI, is shaping the public’s understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through his news appearances. Here's where he's stepping in as an expert on AI:

12.10.23  Should A.I. Accelerate? Decelerate? The Answer Is Both.  |  The New York Times

11.09.23  AI Revolution Will be Even More Disruptive Than Industrial Revolution  |  NDTV

04.05.23  Google shared AI knowledge with the world — until ChatGPT caught up  |  The Washington Post

Watch De Kai’s TEDx San Miguel de Allende Talk on embracing AI >>

Watch De Kai in conversation at World Export Development Forum >>

De Kai is the genius behind the theory and practical application that are the backbone of generative AI and beyond

A landmark voice in AI, DE KAI pioneered pivotal advances that shifted natural language processing and machine learning at a time of heated debate about how to take these theories into reality, helping develop modern AI as we know it today. While working on his postdoc in Geoffrey Hinton’s lab, De Kai was developing the theory behind the innovations which he then built into the world's first web translator, quickly spawning tools like Google Translate. From groundbreaking theory, to implementing the mathematical models, to deploying robust commercial systems, to actively working today globally with CEOs and legislators to evaluate impact, De Kai shares a deep understanding of the AI landscape at every level.

De Kai speaks to not only the theory behind AI innovation, but also the risks, challenges, opportunities, and ethics that businesses will face in the near term. Talks with De Kai are highly personalized to the concerns and interests of each group, helping his audience move seamlessly from the big picture ideas to the granular issues, including prescriptions for how to get ahead of the potential risks as an executive.

Watch De Kai’s TEDx Talk >>

Artificial Intelligence (AI): The world’s top artificial intelligence speakers help businesses and industries plan for what’s next

The Harry Walker Agency represents the world's top Artificial Intelligence thought leaders, business moguls, and tech titans who provide invaluable insight in the rapidly shifting landscape of AI and Chat GPT. Corporate leaders like former CEO & Chairman of Xerox URSULA BURNS and former President, CEO, and Chairman of IBM GINNI ROMETTY inspire their audiences to lean into innovation. Renowned internet pioneers like SIR TIM BERNERS-LEE, JIMMY WALES, and the Statesman of AI DE KAI unpack these exceptional tech advancements. Global tech executives like PayPal’s former President and CEO DAN SCHULMAN, digital entrepreneur and VC investor PHIL LIBIN, and tech entrepreneur and VC angel investor MICHAEL MIGNANO offer actionable insights about building out a data-backed, high-impact strategy for growth. Tech founder and change agent MIKE MUSE, and algorithm expert CATHY O’NEIL speak to how teams can work with AI to achieve astounding results, while emphasizing our values of ingenuity, courage, and inclusion. Data scientist and Cambridge Analytica whistleblower CHRISTOPHER WYLIE explains AI’s potential risks and how to navigate the complex cybersecurity issues.

Explore HWA’s Artificial Intelligence Speakers >>

Pioneering scientist De Kai – The Statesman of AI – offers an insider perspective on the possibilities generative AI holds for every organization

Pioneering AI scientist and professor DE KAI – widely regarded as “the Statesman of AI” – is one of the most qualified people in the world to speak to the transformative possibilities generative AI holds for businesses and organizations. De Kai is the inventor of the world's first web translator and fundamental machine learning models that quickly became Google Translate and more – which have revolutionized how people do business on the internet and are the backbone of AI today in theory and practice. De Kai did groundbreaking research in Geoffrey Hinton’s lab (the godfather of AI who led the AI team at Google) and has received the highest honor in the field – equivalent to the Field’s Medal or Nobel Prize. De Kai is the go-to expert to explain these profound concepts and opportunities – speaking globally to industry leaders, royalty, heads of state, and legislators worldwide about this incredible technology.

De Kai is available for keynotes, moderated Q&A sessions, or longer format “deep dive” consultative experiences so your group can maximize the impact and kickstart a legitimate strategy around using AI to accentuate (or revolutionize) your business.

Watch De Kai speak on trade trends and IA at World Export Development Forum >>

AI pioneer De Kai offers an informative and inspiring perspective on the role AI plays in society, and where we can go from here

Widely regarded as the Statesman of AI, DE KAI balances decades at the forefront of science with a passionate understanding of philosophy, empathy, and creativity. In revelatory talks, the professor and ethicist breaks down how our fear-based culture leads to a limited perspective and polarizing conversations about new technologies – such as AI tools like ChatGPT – and how we can evolve toward a possibility mindset instead. De Kai offers frameworks for thinking about AI – for businesses, organizations, governments, societies, and for our own personal reflections – in captivating talks.

One of just 17 scientists in the world to be honored as a Founding Fellow of the Association for Computational Linguistics, De Kai serves on numerous boards and panels dealing with AI policy and ethics. He has given hundreds of talks on AI ethics, society, and safety, and artfully moves the conversation away from risk mitigation and pro/con lists toward a deep analysis of the existential questions inspired by technological advancement.

Watch De Kai’s TEDx Talk “The biggest fear with AI is fear itself” >>

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Biography

De Kai is Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST, and Distinguished Research Scholar at Berkeley's International Computer Science Institute. For pioneering AIs like the Google/Microsoft/Yahoo translators, he is among only 17 scientists worldwide named by the Association for Computational Linguistics as a Founding ACL Fellow.

De Kai's cross-disciplinary work relating AI, cognition, language, music, creativity, media arts, ethics, and society centers on enabling cultures to relate, and stems from a liberal arts perspective emphasizing creativity in both technical and humanistic dimensions. A native of St Louis, he has done research at Berkeley, UCSD, University of Toronto, Bell Laboratories, Columbia University, and TU Munich, and Toronto. Recruited in 1992 among the founding professors of now top-ranked HKUST straight from UC Berkeley, where his PhD thesis was one of the first to spur the paradigm shift toward machine learning based natural language processing technologies, he founded HKUST's internationally funded Human Language Technology Center which launched the world's first web translator over twenty years ago.

During his doctoral studies in cognitive science, artificial intelligence and computational linguistics at Berkeley, he worked on seminal projects on intelligent conversational dialog agents and narrative and story understanding. His PhD dissertation employing maximum entropy to model human perception and interpretation of ambiguities was one of the first to spur the paradigm shift toward today's state-of-the-art statistical natural language processing technologies. De Kai also holds an executive MBA from Kellogg (Northwestern University) and HKUST. His undergraduate degree at UCSD was awarded cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and won the liberal arts oriented Revelle College's department award. Debrett's HK 100 has named De Kai as one of the 100 most influential figures of Hong Kong.

Over the past decade, De Kai has given hundreds of talks worldwide on AI ethics, society, and safety. He serves on the board of AI policy think tank TFS (The Future Society), which is heavily involved in drafting the European Union’s forthcoming AI Act.  In 2018, Google named De Kai as one of eight inaugural members of its AI Ethics council, ATEAC (Advanced Technology External Advisory Council).