Kooy Symposium 2016 AI and Big Data
Successful Prof.ir.dr. Kooy Symposium 2016 on Big Data and Artficial Intelligence
On 6 April, the KIVI Department of Defence and Security (DV) held its annual Kooy Symposium. This year's topic was Big Data and Artficial Intelligence (AI). As the regular venue, the Naval Barracks Amsterdam, was not available, it was organised at the General-Majoor Kootkazerne in Stroe. This venue offers more space, so this year a record number of 380 participants attended. Under the excellent and humorous leadership of the chairman of the day, Colonel Elanor Boekholt-O'Sullivan (CSLK), no fewer than 12 presentations were held, in three blocks.
The first block (setting the scene) began with a presentation by Prof Dr Max Welling (UvA) on the wide availability of Big Data, Moore's law (increase in computing power and data storage) and Deep Learning (determining the essence of information). This combination is becoming a driving force for image analysis, speech recognition, translating spoken text, planning/reinforcement learning of missions and predicting maintenance, among others. As dangers, he mentioned privacy, unemployment and perhaps autonomous weapon systems. Then Defence Chief Information Officer, Rear Admiral Maarten Tossings, spoke about the importance of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data. He mentioned its use within Defence for analysing UAV photos, information-driven operations (KMAR) and merging data from various sensors, among other things. Big Data is no longer hype. He saw many more opportunities, but also mentioned many challenges that Defence then has to face. Last of this block, Prof.dr.Paul Fenema (NLDA) discussed better decision-making in operations and logistics as a result of better understanding by analysing Big Data. This better decision-making leads to tactical-and ultimately strategic-benefits for the organisation.
Before lunch, KTZE b.d. Jan Wind (chairman KIVI DV) presented the Prof.ir.dr. Kooy Prize to Joost Kamp, for his thesis on predicting eddies around ships during helicopter landings. The second prize was for Justyna Chromik for her thesis on DDOS attacks.
The second block was on Big Data/AI policy and vision. Speakers were: Jan van Gemert (TUD) on automatic action recognition in video (for sports statistics, nature conservation) and magnifying "invisible" changes in video; Ron Tolido (Cap Gemini) on the 3rd platform (social, mobile, cloud, analytics), systematic innovation patterns (TRIZ), "no" thinking (the best hotel is "no" hotel namely Airbnb) and storing data in advance to answer future questions; Joep Brouwer on the success of Brainport Eindhoven, where all kinds of high-tech network companies -with ASML being the largest- are working together with global success in an open and innovative ecosystem; and finally Hermen Groen (IBM) on applying the cognitive system Watson for analysing Big Data (and the game Go) and the development of Neuromorphic Chips (Brainchip) for analysing images in UAVs, interpreting radiological images and automated jurisprudence.
The last block focused on excel technologies. Speakers were: Christopher Roos (NLR) with new display concepts of information so pilots can adapt faster to operational changes; Michael Doves (DIKW) on a programme created for the police for better Situational Awareness in emergencies; Jasper van Huis (TNO) on tracking and behavioural analysis of vehicles and people in Wide Area Motion Imagery (WAMI), aerial images with a resolution of 56x HD that can overlook an entire city; Milan Uitentuis (IntellinQ) on Spatial Data Management, or data with a location component and their system Geolinq which can be used to process this data; and finally Hans Henseler (Trackinspector) on Defence and security applications of Sweetie 2.0, the chatbot developed to digitally lure paedophiles.
The Kooy Symposium was impressively concluded by BGEN b.d. Peer de Vries, who analysed the ethical side of Big Data. He warned of a totalitarian state intervening on the basis of statistical patterns and shifting moral boundaries "because it can". Reflection (checks and balances) and thinking about long-term consequences is necessary.
A closing drinks and rice table ensured that many participants had a long chat about the many interesting presentations. All in all, a very successful Kooy Symposium 2016 and a fantastic day.
Description
PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE: NEW DATE IS 6 APRIL 2016
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND BIG DATA
Rethinking the Defence Innovation Model
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data (BD) are going to totally transform the armed forces. Huge amounts of data are coming at us via the internet, from F-35 aircraft, drones and lots of other sensors. Petabytes of information about terrain, people, threats and targets. All that data needs to be analysed, combined, interpreted, validated and then used for deployment. Artificial Intelligence and especially self-learning systems are going to help with this. Technological singularity is already predicted by some, with artificial intelligence overtaking that of humans.
Developments in AI and BD are moving so fast that the golden triangle innovation model is also in need of revision. New technology is becoming available much faster than the defence sector's usual process of research, specification, procurement, development and production can keep up with. Also, the costs of development cannot simply be borne by Defence for the foreseeable future.
During the Kooy symposium 2016, we will try to answer the question of what is coming our way and how we can adapt to these lightning-fast developments.
Prior to the Kooy symposium, the KIVI Defence and Security Section will hold its annual General Members' Meeting from 09:00-10:00. You can register for this during the registration process for the Kooy symposium. You can find the agenda and documents from 6 March via the link below
Location
Wolweg 100, 3776LR Stroe
Organiser
Defence and Security
KVMO, APA, TNO, NLR
Name and contact details for information
KTZ bd Jan Wind, chairman Defence and Security
