Scientists Meet Scientists – TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talk | Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability by Monika Farsang: "Towards Sustainable Machine Learning: Enhancing Efficiency with Bio-Inspired Neural Networks"
Events, WCT, Seminar Series on Sustainability |
On 29 January 2025, Monika Farsang (Institute of Computer Engineering, TU Wien, Austria) will present the last talk of the winter term in our Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability, which has become an integral part of our Wednesday Coffee Talks. The talk is entitled "Towards Sustainable Machine Learning: Enhancing Efficiency with Bio-Inspired Neural Networks".
Abstract:
The growing energy consumption and resource demands of machine learning (ML) systems present significant challenges to environmental sustainability. While the trend toward increasingly larger models continues, this approach is not necessarily the optimal path forward - especially when comparable results can be achieved with smaller ML models requiring fewer computational resources.
This talk explores strategies for making ML more sustainable, with a focus on improving model efficiency. Drawing inspiration from nature, bio-inspired neural networks such as Neural Circuit Policies (NCPs) and Liquid Time-Constant Networks (LTCs) are highlighted for their ability to achieve strong performance even on a small scale. However, these models face the challenge of longer computation times due to the stiff nature of their underlying ordinary differential equations. By incorporating the biological concept of input- and state-dependent membrane capacitance into their design, our new model addresses this issue, reducing computation time while preserving interpretability and compactness, thereby enhancing efficiency. Emulating the adaptability and resourcefulness of biological systems, these models offer promising pathways to reduce AI's carbon footprint.
Date: January 29, 2025
Time: 13:00 CET (until approx. 14:00)
Location: online
Registration: The TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talks including the new Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability are held online via Zoom making it accessible to a global audience. To register and to receive the Zoom link, please send an email to events(at)ias.tum.de.
Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability
As part of the ongoing commitment of the TUM-IAS to foster scientific exchange and professional networks, the Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability aims to bring together scientists from research institutions in Eastern, Southeastern, and Central Europe to discuss topics related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. This seminar series is a first step to bridge the geographical and academic gaps in order to create a scientific network, and encourage joint research initiatives and build lasting collaborations for a more sustainable future.
THE TUM-IAS WEDNESDAY COFFEE TALKS
Every Wednesday after lunch, it's all about a new topic - current research highlights at TUM, insights into the work of our Fellows from all over the world, sometimes even topics not usually found at TUM, such as history or theology.
The talks held online start every Wednesday during TUM lecture time at 13:00 CE(S)T. Everyone is welcome - TUM researchers of all levels, students, visiting scholars, and anyone interested!
Each final Wednesday of the month, a topic related to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals will be featured as a part of the Seminar Series of European Universities on Sustainability, a new initiative of the TUM-IAS in partnership with universities across Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe.
Would you like to receive regular updates on the TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talk and the online link? Just send a short note to events(at)ias.tum.de.
An overview of upcoming and past TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talks can be found at the TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talk Overview.