TAIAO Newsletter - Upcoming Events
Welcome to the TAIAO newsletter!
As an initiative supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), TAIAO is committed to promoting and facilitating the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science in New Zealand's environmental sector.
We are excited to keep you informed about the latest advancements in this field, and to share stories of successful implementation of these technologies.
In this newsletter, you will find information on:
- Hackathon Festival - Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August
- TAIAO Workshop - Thursday 24 August
- Project team spotlight - Moritz and Yun Sing
- Follow our socials
- How to get involved
Hackathon Festival – Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August
Want to help solve some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s pressing environmental challenges through artificial intelligence (AI)? Want to do that while learning new skills and networking with like-minded individuals and AI experts?
We are partnering with the Artificial Intelligence Institute and the AI Forum NZ to host the Waikato-based Hackathon on Saturday 19, and Sunday 20 August, at the University of Waikato’s Hamilton campus.
Whether you are an absolute beginner to AI or a trained specialist, register your interest through the website.
At the end of the Hackathon, you will present to a judging panel and, if you win, will have the opportunity to pitch your idea at the 2023 Aotearoa AI Summit!
The University of Waikato is also celebrating 50 Years of Computing. For this special occasion, we have decided to extend the invite to high school students with a fantastic prize for the winners - a $5,000 (NZD) scholarship to enrol in a computer science degree at the University of Waikato!
What are you waiting for? Register to put your knowledge to the test and tackle climate change at the same time (a win-win)!
TAIAO Workshop – Thursday 24 August
Join us on Thursday 24 August to hear from experts in environmental AI and data science discuss flood prediction technology, how Generative AI, like ChatGPT, will change environmental data science and much more at the annual TAIAO Workshop.
Whether you are an AI enthusiast, a seasoned data scientist, an environmental advocate, or someone eager to learn more about the intersection of technology and sustainability, this workshop is a great opportunity to network and discuss the world of environmental AI and data science.
Learn more and reserve your spot here. Please note there are limited in-person tickets available, so get it quick.
Project Team Spotlight
Each newsletter we spotlight some of the hardworking members of TAIAO. By sharing their career journey and achievements, we will give you a bit of insight into the team and how their careers have progressed to where they are now.
This week, we introduce Dr Moritz Lehmann and Dr Yun Sing Koh.
Meet Dr Yun Sing Koh, an associate professor in the School of Computer Science at the University of Auckland. Yun Sing specialises in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), specifically in continual learning and adaption, transfer learning anomaly detection and data stream mining.
Yun Sing is passionate about social good and uses her research to support the environment and health domains.
During the TAIAO workshop, Yun Sing will be MCing the open discussion on current and future capabilities of environmental data science.
Dr Moritz Lehmann is a Senior Oceanographer at Starboard Maritime Intelligence (Starboard.nz), where he leads applied research related to illegal fishing and maritime biosecurity risk pathways. He is also an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Waikato where he is involved in freshwater modelling and satellite remote sensing of lake water quality. Moritz is a well-published scientist and a skilled communicator. His work has been featured in several interviews for radio, newspapers, and TV.
During the TAIAO Workshop, Moritz will be MCing a discussion on how generative AI, like ChatGPT, relates to our work in environmental data science. With a panel of experts, he will explore how generative AI can accelerate our research, and how students and burgeoning professionals can prepare to succeed in a future in which machines take on more and more complex and creative tasks. Bring your questions, as Moritz will leave ample time for audience interaction!
Follow our socials
How to get involved
TAIAO provides an open source community platform for Environmental Data Science and AI. In the platform, you can discuss the notebooks and datasets found on TAIAO and get to know other contributors. Click here to sign up.
