Practical AI The world needs an AI superhero
Jan 25, 2022
Bonaventure Dossou, an AI researcher at Mila and Google AI, is on a mission to harness natural language processing for global betterment, particularly in Africa. He recounts his unique journey from aspiring gynecologist to AI expert, emphasizing the importance of making technology accessible. The conversation highlights innovative approaches in drug discovery to combat antimicrobial resistance. Dossou also champions linguistic inclusion, working to preserve cultural identity through technology in low-resourced languages. His passion inspires a vision of a brighter future for education and healthcare.
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From Medicine to Math
- Bonaventure Dossou's path to AI was unexpected, starting with a focus on medicine and a dislike for math.
- A professor's encouragement and a passion for computer science led him to pursue mathematics, eventually specializing in AI.
International Education
- Dossou studied mathematics in Russia, learning the language while immersed in the universal language of math.
- He later pursued a master's in Germany, driven by a love for the country and its culture, before landing in Canada.
AI for Drug Discovery
- Bonaventure Dossou works at Mila on drug discovery, using AI to generate diverse antimicrobial peptides (AMPs).
- He also works with Roche Canada, using user feedback to enhance drug development and manufacturing processes.