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The Next Horizon

Quest’s Future

Nov. 24, 1:00–5:30 p.m.
Stata Center
person looking at a bright horizon

All of us in the Quest are on a journey together.

During the afternoon of Monday, November 24, faculty, students, research scientists, staff, and supporters gathered to celebrate the next stage in the Quest's journey at a special event. We shared research updates and had a sneak peek at new and upcoming projects. The event was recorded and is available on our YouTube channel.

Speakers

Schedule

Afternoon

1:00 PM - 1:10 PM

Welcome Remarks: Prof. Jim DiCarlo, Director of the MIT Quest for Intelligence 

Watch the video

 

1:10 PM - 1:30 PM

Mission Updates: Perceptual Intelligence
We think that it’s possible for a system to perceive the 3D world as a person does, able to work in any environment and situation a person can perceive, predict and act in.
Presenters: Jim DiCarlo, Peter de Florez Professor of Systems and Computational Neuroscience (BCS), SQI Director
Josh Tenenbaum, Professor of Computational Cognitive Science (BCS), SQI Director of Science

Watch the video

1:30 PM - 1:50 PM

Mission Update: Embodied Intelligence
Could robots solve problems and learn new tasks in open settings like homes, construction sites, and disaster areas, just as quickly as a person can?
Presenters: Leslie Kaelbling, Panasonic Professor (EECS), SQI Director of Research
Nancy Kanwisher, Walter A. Rosenblith Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience (BCS)

Watch the video

1:50 PM - 2:10 PM

Mission Update: Language & Thought 
Our goal is to create a system with the same type of conversational inputs and outputs as ChatGPT, but that explains human thought. 
Presenters: Ev Fedorenko, Associate Professor (BCS)
Jacob Andreas, Associate Professor (EECS)

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2:10 PM - 2:30 PM

Mission Update: Development of Intelligence
Imagine a machine that grows into intelligence the way a person does – that starts like a baby and learns like a child, and the mechanisms that enable that mirror those operating in the developing human brain. 
Presenters: Laura Schulz, John and Dorothy Wilson Professor and Associate Department Head (BCS)
Josh Tenenbaum, Professor of Computational Cognitive Science (BCS), SQI Director of Science

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2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Panel Discussion on the refreshed integrated vision of the Quest’s research efforts, opened with a context-setting presentation

Participants include Prof. Josh Tenenbaum (moderator), Dr. David M. Siegel, Prof. Ev Fedorenko, Prof. Rebecca Saxe, and Prof. Nick Roy

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4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Poster Session with Reception

Research Scientists, Students, and Post-docs will present recent research from the Quest.

 

a student at a poster talking with two other people