Microsoft's AI for Science Senior Director Bonnie Kruft

How AI Happens

Dr. Kruft unpacks how she went from earning a Ph.D. focused on quantum chemistry, to working in AI and machine learning. She shares how she first discovered her love of data science, and how her Ph.D. equipped her with the skills she needed to transition into this new and exciting field. We also discuss the data science approach to problem-solving, deep learning emulators, and the impact that machine learning could have on the natural sciences.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing today's guest, Bonnie Kruft, Senior Director at Microsoft’s AI for Science.
• A quick look at Bonnie’s background and the research she is currently doing.
• The work that Bonnie did on quantum chemistry for her Ph.D. dissertation.
• How quantum chemistry led to her working in the field of AI.
• An overview of the transferable skills that Bonnie picked up during her Ph.D.
• Learn about Bonnie’s work with pharmaceutical companies.
• How Bonnie became interested in data science and machine learning.
• The data science approach to problem-solving.
• The concept of falling faster and how to facilitate it.
• What the word ‘quantum’ means and how it applies to computing.
• How Bonnie’s Ph.D. prepared her for a career in machine learning.
• The impact that machine learning could have on the natural sciences.
• A breakdown of the four paradigms through which science has evolved.
• The emulator approach and how it can apply to anywhere data science is being done.
• Learn about Microsoft's AI for science and what they are doing with machine learning.
• What Bonnie’s typical day looks like.

Tweetables:

“Although I wasn't really working on machine learning, or data science during my Ph.D., there's a lot of transferable skills that I picked up along the way while I was working on quantum chemistry.” — Bonnie Kruft [0:03:00]

“We believe that deep learning could have a really transformational impact on the natural sciences.” — Bonnie Kruft [0:13:02]

“The idea is that deep learning emulators will be used for the things that are going to make the most impact on the world. Solving healthcare challenges, combating disease, combating climate change, and sustainability. Things like that.” — Bonnie Kruft [0:21:29]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Bonnie Kruft on LinkedIn

Microsoft

How AI Happens

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