Professor Stanley Osher

Seoul National University recently initiated a research project on the"Mathematical Analysis on Deep Learning" with Stanley OSHER, a prestigious mathematician and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Deep Learning, the machine learning technology utilized by Google's AlphaGo program, is a core element behind artificial intelligence involving artificial neural networks. In March 2016, AlphaGo played against LEE Sedol, world champion of the Chinese board game Go, winning four out of five matches.

The SNU research team consists of ten professors from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, and is led by Professor KANG Myungjoo. The team's research partner, Professor Osher, is the 2014 recipient of the Gauss Prize, the most prestigious honor in the applied mathematics field, which was awarded at the International Congress of Mathematicians held in Seoul, Korea. Osher, the third mathematics scholar to receive the prize, was recognized for his"influential contributions to several fields in applied mathematics and his far-ranging inventions have changed our conception of physical, perceptual, and mathematical concepts, giving us new tools to apprehend the world." Professor Osher is has been serving as a visiting professor at SNU since May 2015.

Considering that most research on Deep Learning is pioneered by computer scientists, the team led by Professors Kang and Osher is uncommon in that it approaches the topic from a mathematical perspective. According to Professor Osher, a few major internet companies such as Google and Facebook may already be analyzing Deep Learning mathematically, but an academia-led research group is unprecedented."The aim of this research is to discover a breakthrough in the studies on Deep Learning by mathematically proving the operational principles behind AI's learning skills and develop a new algorithm that would reduce errors," the professor explained. He also expressed hope that Deep Learning would contribute positively to our society, in areas such as automated driving, speech recognition and medical diagnostics.

Regarding Professor Osher's contribution towards the research, Professor Kang mentioned that the mathematician will continue investigating Deep Learning even after his term as a visiting professor at SNU ends in April of next year."Deep Learning is a field with great potential in terms of its application to the commercial industry," Professor Kang explained."Depending on research results, we are open to possibilities of co-launching a Deep Learning-related company similar to Google's DeepMind, with Professor Osher."

Written by YOON Jiwon, SNU English Editor, jiwonyoon@snu.ac.kr
Reviewed by Professor Travis Smith, Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations, tlsmith@snu.ac.kr