Abstract

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture. AI is no longer confined to theoretical musings or laboratory experiments; it has taken flight, soaring on the wings of innovation and practical application. As we delve into the heart of this transformation, we witness the emergence of AI copilots—intelligent companions that augment human capabilities and navigate complex domains alongside us. In this talk, we embark on a journey through the realms of applied computer vision research at Microsoft. Our mission? To empower everyone on the planet to achieve more using the best technologies. We explore how computer vision, a cornerstone of AI, transcends mere algorithms and pixels. It becomes a conduit for real-world impact, touching lives, industries, and societies. Together, we ride the currents of innovation, steering toward a horizon where AI’s wings carry us to uncharted heights.

Bio.

Trista, an AI scientist and tech executive, currently the Director, AI Research Center at Microsoft. Her research focuses on face recognition, computer vision, multimodal foundation models, and health AI. The impactful technologies she has developed at Microsoft are currently used by millions of users worldwide. Trista’s contributions extend beyond code and algorithms; her work has been published in over 30 top-tier journals and conference papers, and she holds or has filed 110 patents. Her research is internationally recognized, with notable achievements such as publishing in a Nature Portfolio journal, receiving the 2023 CVPR workshop best paper award, and winning the world championship in the USAID Intelligent Forecasting Competition, where her innovations advanced healthcare in Ivory Coast.

Before joining Microsoft, Trista held leadership positions at Inventec, Intel, Nvidia, and two startups. As the Chief AI Officer at Inventec, she spearheaded the development of Taiwan’s first batch of novel AI Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), based on her original medical research. Recently, this SaMD received certification from the Taiwan FDA. Additionally, Trista led Inventec in creating the industry’s pioneering computer vision laptop defect detection system and logistics solution, leveraging the technology that won the USAID world championship. During her tenure at Intel, she played a pivotal role in facilitating the development of OpenCV, the world’s most widely adopted computer vision software. At Nvidia, she co-architected the company’s inaugural video processor. Trista holds a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as M.S. and B.S. degrees from National Tsing-Hua University.

All faculty and students are welcome to join.