When it comes to the industry, TO In the modern era, One of the pioneers who played a very important role was Dr. Fei-Fei Li, a professor from Stanford and the founder of an AI startup like World Labs He is a researcher who never stops seeking knowledge and asking questions to drive the technology industry forward rapidly. This article explores her incredible life story and analyzes the key lessons about curiosity that are at the heart of AI development and innovation in the industry.
curiosity The beginning of the journey
Dr. Li says curiosity is part of the DNA of many humans and animals. She believes that everyone is born with curiosity, and that it is important that children are supported and protected to continue to grow that curiosity. In her childhood, Her family and parents helped keep this fire of doubt alive and became a major driving force in her scientific life.
While curiosity may seem commonplace, for Dr. Li, it's what makes her feel happy and inspires her to try new things, even in times when others see them as risky or insecure.
Atmosphere of childhood curiosity
A clear example is the experience of going to the thrift market with her father at the age of 15, even though it seems ordinary and boring to the average person, but for Dr. Li, her father will look at everything with a look of wonder and excitement, such as noticing that a glass cup has an owl in the shape of an owl, or a clever garden tool designed to make it easier to pull out trees. This is a child's open-minded outlook and endless willingness to learn new things.
The Path to Success in AI
After moving to the United States as a teenager, Dr. Li faced hardships as a poor immigrant family. She received a scholarship at Princeton University and later studied physics, which was the cornerstone of her work in AI.
One story that reflects her commitment is the day she had to take her exams while waiting outside the operating room to care for her mother who was seriously ill and needed emergency surgery. Dr. Li had to act as an interpreter between the doctor and his mother, and was allowed to take the exam in the hospital premises so as not to lose his educational opportunities.
Deciding to choose a scientific path instead of a stable path
After graduating from Princeton and continuing at Caltech Dr. Li faced a crossroads between receiving a stable job offer and a high salary from a well-known consulting firm like McKinsey With the continuation of AI research that was not yet popular and highly uncertain at that time, which was called AI Winter.
Despite concerns about her mother's financial security and deteriorating health, her mother's advice to "do what she loves" was a major driving force for her to choose the path of science fully, reflecting the love and sacrifice of a mother who sees happiness and potential in her child rather than the current difficulties.
ImageNet: A project that changed the AI landscape
One of Dr. Li's most notable contributions is the creation of ImageNet A huge image database of over 15 million images. With carefully screened labels covering over 22,000 object categories. This is important information for AI training in image processing and object recognition.
before ImageNet The concept of Big Data It is not yet widespread. ImageNet has set a new standard that has brought the AI industry into the era of using big and diverse data as an important tool to develop more efficient models.
Big Data and AI Training
Currently, AI requires three main components:
- GPU: Hardware for processing large amounts of data quickly
- Neural Networks Algorithms: A structure that helps AI learn patterns from data
- Big Data: A wide range and large number of resources that allow AI to learn and generalize well.
ImageNet is one of the pioneers that made the concept of Big Data a standard in the AI industry and the beginning of a revolution. Deep Learning that has changed technology in many ways since then.
The importance of research in universities and government support
Dr. Li emphasized the important role of research in universities as a space that provides freedom to explore and experiment with new ideas. It is not limited by trade targets like research in the private sector.
This independence gives rise to research driven by curiosity ( Curiosity-driven Research ) is at the heart of innovation and unexpected discoveries. Research at the university is also a source of new researchers and experts who are ready to apply their knowledge to the industry and technology.
What is Curiosity-driven Research?
The meaning of curiosity-driven research is that researchers have the freedom to choose topics and how they work without being forced to immediately respond to business needs or marketing goals. But they can experiment and find answers to things they don't know or haven't done before.
While these ideas can sometimes be seen as risky or not cost-effective in business, in the long run, they are a source of innovation that can change the world.
The Role of Research Budgets from the Government and Private Sectors
Dr. Li gave an example of the support from National Science Foundation (NSF) , Office of Naval Research (ONR), as well as cooperation and support from leading technology companies such as: Microsoft , Google , Amazon and Nvidia It plays an important role in helping research projects to be carried out continuously and effectively.
This support is not limited to funding. It also includes building a network of cooperation between universities and industry. that allows for the exchange of knowledge and rapid technology development.
Combining the roles of researchers and entrepreneurs in the AI era
In an era of rapid advancement in AI technology, Dr. Li chose to step into the role of an entrepreneur along with being a researcher to expand the scope of practical application of scientific knowledge, especially in projects. World Labs that focuses on developing technology. Spatial Intelligence Or the ability to understand and create interactive three-dimensional worlds.
Spatial Intelligence It is a hybrid technology. Deep Learning , Computer Vision and Computer Graphics To create new experiences, such as creating a virtual world where users can interact and create freely, this is an important step forward for AI to affect the entertainment field. Education and future work
Flexibility in America's Innovation System
Dr. Li praised the U.S. innovation system for allowing researchers to freely switch roles between university research and private sector work. There is no fixed frame limit. As a result, there is a continuous flow of knowledge and creativity.
The role of basic research and recommendations to policymakers.
When it comes to research budget allocation, Dr. Li emphasized that investing in basic research and universities is a strategic asset that is critical to the country's competitiveness and innovation.
She suggested that policymakers should see the importance of an innovation ecosystem comprising academic sectors. The government and the private sector work together in harmony to create technologies and products that can change the world.
In addition, university research provides a space for well-rounded debate and analysis of complex issues, which helps society to push the boundaries of knowledge forward in a rational and ethical way.
Lessons from Fei-Fei Li's Life and Works
Dr. Li's story is proof that curiosity and determination can take life and science to the global level. Even though it started from a poor immigrant family in New Jersey. She was given a scholarship opportunity at a top university and went through the difficulties of caring for her seriously ill mother but not giving up her dream of becoming a scientist.
Having the courage to see opportunities during the AI Winter and initiating the AI-revolutionizing ImageNet project is another important lesson that shows that curiosity-driven research and the support of a strong innovation ecosystem can actually change the world.
AI Technology and Humanity
Dr. Li also emphasized the importance of developing AI that takes human values at the center so that technology can help sustainably enrich lives and society, not just business or technology competition.
Technical terms to know in this article
- AI (Artificial Intelligence): Artificial intelligence is a technology that enables machines to learn and perform tasks that require human-like thinking.
- Big Data: The high volume and variety of big data required for effective AI training.
- Deep Learning: AI learning techniques that use multi-layered neural networks to learn from large amounts of data.
- GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Highly efficient processors to handle large and complex amounts of data, such as AI training.
- ImageNet: A large image database used for AI training in image recognition and processing.
- Curiosity-driven Research: Research driven by curiosity and questioning, without being limited by business goals.
- Spatial Intelligence: The ability of AI to understand and create interactive three-dimensional worlds
Conclusion from Insiderly
Dr. Fei-Fei Li's curiosity demonstrates the power to drive AI innovation that requires a strong ecosystem of open universities, curiosity-driven research, and balanced financial support.
ImageNet is an example of research from skepticism that has become the foundation of modern AI, such as GPT.
The switching of roles between academia, the private sector and entrepreneurs helps create innovations that meet real needs.
Investing in basic research and innovation ecosystems is critical to technology leadership. Maintaining curiosity and fostering open research is the key to intelligent and socially valuable AI.