Extreme and Green: What Science Needs from Computing

Leading scientists from neuroscience, nanoscience, astrophysics, computer science and engineering are gathering to discuss this question in Tromso, Norway, continuing a dialogue that began at last year’s Kavli Futures Symposium.

Ahead of this next symposium, four participants share some of the key ideas expected to be raised – in particular, the possibility of extremely energy-efficient computing technologies that might mirror the efficiency of the human brain. They also discuss the current impact of recent advances in computing.

As noted by one of these scientists, “We’re in the middle of a revolution right now in the brain sciences and in many other sciences… We’re entering an era now where computers have finally become fast enough to allow us to make rapid progress over the next decade.”

Joining this advance discussion:

* Tom Abel, Associate Professor of Physics at Stanford University and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology;

* Andreas G. Andreou, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science and the Center of Language and Speech Processing at Johns Hopkins University;

* William J. Dally, the Willard R. and Inez Kerr Bell Professor in the Stanford University School of Engineering and former Chairman of the Stanford Computer Science Department;

* Terry Sejnowski, Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Francis Crick Professor at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

Story with panel discussion is available at: http://www.kavlifoundation.org/science-spotlights/future-computing-extreme-green

ABOUT THE KAVLI FOUNDATION:

The Kavli Foundation, based in Oxnard, California, is dedicated to the goals of advancing science for the benefit of humanity and promoting increased public understanding and support for scientists and their work. The Foundation's mission is implemented through an international program of research institutes, professorships, programs and symposia in the fields of astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and theoretical physics, as well as prizes in the fields of astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience. The Foundation was established in 2000 by its chairman, Fred Kavli.