Sanjay Samuel

Abstract:

The ultimate goal of AI research is to provide the tools, techniques, and methods for building usable systems that make decisions or assist in making decisions that model and "understand" the world, gather relevant knowledge, and act responsibly. In many cases, the decisions and actions are associated with high risks, and certain assurance or robustness is required from the system that uses AI components. What are the ultimate questions that we need to answer in order to build the required runtime robustness for our systems?

We'll explore the central role that three types of unknowns play in our quest for robustness. These are the unobserved entities that need our research attention to make any assurance guarantees. First, we'll analyze the unknown observations that we need to deal with at runtime. Next, we'll explore the unknown features – the additional dimensions along which we need to reason and that are needed to rely upon at decision time. Finally, we'll discuss the unknown constraints – the unknown functions that we need to optimize against.

Biography:

Speaker: Sanjay Samuel
IEEE Chair Seattle Section

With over three decades of experience as a decisive technical leader and innovative entrepreneur, I have spearheaded and nurtured high-performing engineering teams across various domains, including Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Communication, and Fiber/RF communication network engineering.

My extensive portfolio showcases successful new product development and program delivery in regions spanning Asia, Australia, Europe, and America, with a focus on Cellular/Radio Communications, Digital Twin technologies, and leading software and hardware development teams for railways and infrastructure projects, including bus rapid transit systems. I contributed significantly to developing Positive Train Control (PTC), Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), and digital twin technologies for both software and hardware.

Educationally, I hold engineering degrees in Electronics and Communications Engineering, Electrical Engineering from Drexel University, a Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology, and an MBA. I possess a global perspective and effective communication skills and am proficient in eight languages.

In leadership roles, I serve as the Chair of the IEEE Seattle Section and as the Information Management Coordinator for IEEE Region 6, demonstrating my dedication to driving innovation and fostering collaboration within the engineering community.