Joint Workshop WG 2 & WG 4: Exploring the interplay between Human Learning and Machine Learning - The Citizen Science Perspective
Date and indicative timing: 11-12 April 2019, starting in the late morning of the 11th and finishing in the afternoon of the 12th.
Location: Joint Research Centre, Edificio Expo, Calle Inca Garcilaso, 3, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
Scientific Organizers
- Laure Kloetzer (Assistant Professor in Psychology & Education at University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland)
- Marisa Ponti, Scientific Project Officer (European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy)
- Sven Schade, Scientific/Technical Project Officer (European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy)
- Emilia Gómez (European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre (JRC), Sevilla, Spain, and Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain). She is the Lead Scientist of the HUMAINT project (HUman Behavior and Machine INTelligence in the Digital Transformation) at the Centre for Advanced Studies of the JRC.
- Vicky Charisi, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Sevilla, Spain. Researcher at the HUMAINT project (HUman Behavior and MAchine INTelligence in the Digital Transformation) at the Centre for Advanced Studies of the JRC.
Scope
Over the past few years, machine learning technology has advanced and sophisticated models have been proposed in computer vision, music processing and bioinformatics, to name few areas. Some of these models are said to surpass human performance. For example, automatic plant image identification is now receiving attention in both botany and computer communities. However, in the field of astronomy, measuring galaxy structure is not yet considered a task for computers and the human eye is still seen as the perfect pattern recognition tool.
In the report Assessing the impact of machine intelligence on human behaviour (Gomez, 2018), it is noted that the practical exploitation of algorithms brings up a discussion on the impact of these algorithms on the ways humans behave: '
“On one side, machine intelligence provides cognitive assistance and complement humans to interpret data more efficiently and discover hidden knowledge in large data resources. On the other side, these algorithms may also affect the way we perform some cognitive tasks and thus affect autonomy and decision making. This is especially relevant when algorithms perform tasks at a high level of abstraction and when they may contradict and influence human interpretations.” (Gomez, 2018).
The aim of this workshop is to explore both of these facets by discussing the bi-directional relationships between machine learning and human learning. Research questions to be explored include, but are not limited to:
- In which ways can human reasoning complement or contribute to machine learning?
- How can algorithmic computations support and/or complement people’s education and training at different times in their lives?
- What are the pitfalls and challenges of the increased influence of machines on personal cognitive development?
We hope that the workshop will elicit the different views people can have in the field of citizen science.
Reference
Gómez, E. (editor) Assessing the impact of machine intelligence on human behaviour: an interdisciplinary endeavour, Joint Research Centre Conference and Workshop Reports, Publications Office of the European Union, Seville, 2018, PUBSY No JRC111773.
Outcome(s) of the Workshop
- Case presentations.
- Research outlook.
- A short paper for Human Computation or for a special issue, if participants are interested to publish short papers in this Journal.
Number of participants
We consider this as a small focused workshop with max 16 participants.
Who Can Apply?
Early-Career Investigators (ECI) (individuals who are within a time span of up to 8 years from the date they obtained their PhD/doctorate (full-time equivalent) in different fields, including computer science, education and human-computer interaction; senior researchers, as well as practitioners in the field of citizen science. Applications will be assessed and about 16 participants will be invited. We expect to be able to fund about 10 participants.
We aim to achieve a balanced representation of disciplines, gender and countries, with particular emphasis on ECI and applicants from COST Inclusiveness Target Countries (see the list here) http://www.cost.eu/about_cost/strategy/excellence-inclusiveness.
How to Apply
Applicants are requested to:
- Fill out the application form.
- Prepare and upload a 250-word motivation letter, expressing their interest in the workshop.
- Prepare and upload a short CV - max 2 pages. In the same document containing the CV, if applicable, describe also their role/contribution in/to the COST Action 15212 (e.g., Working Group Member, contributor to a publication, etc.).
Please upload your CV and motivation letter in the application form!
The organizing committee will assess the eligible contributions following these criteria:
- Scientific/technical quality of contribution (max. 10 score points).
- Interest of the submitted contribution for the WG and Action goals (max. 5 score points).
For further information regarding applications:
- Sven Schade <s [dot] schade [at] ec [dot] europa [dot] eu> European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
- Marisa Ponti <marisa [dot] ponti [at] ec [dot] europa [dot] eu> European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
- Laure Kloetzer <laure [dot] kloetzer [at] unine [dot] ch> University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Emilia Gómez <emilia [dot] gomez-gutierrez [at] ec [dot] europa [dot] eu> European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre (JRC), Sevilla, Spain, and Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
Application deadline: February 5th, 2019
Notification deadline: February 11th, 2019