Machine Learning Street Talk (MLST) Sara Hooker - The Hardware Lottery, Sparsity and Fairness
Oct 20, 2020
Sara Hooker, a research scholar at Google Brain and founder of Delta Analytics, dives into the complexities of AI in this discussion. She introduces the 'Hardware Lottery' concept, highlighting how innovation is often dictated by existing technology. The conversation shifts to biases in AI models, emphasizing the need for fairness and interpretability. Sara critiques current methods and advocates for innovative solutions that prioritize model performance in underrepresented groups, bridging the gap between hardware choices and ethical AI development.
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Inertia in Scientific Progress
- Scientific progress is influenced by inertia in the marketplace of ideas.
- Factors beyond an idea's merit, like tooling compatibility, can impact its acceptance.
Tooling's Impact on Computer Science
- Tooling plays a significant role in determining which ideas thrive in computer science.
- Hardware and software compatibility has shaped AI history by initially disadvantaging connectionist approaches.
GPUs and Deep Learning's Rise
- Deep learning's rise was partly due to GPUs, initially designed for gaming, being repurposed.
- The development of compatible software ecosystems further fueled its breakthrough.
