Breakthrough Discuss 2024
A Cosmic Tapestry for Exploration:
Weaving Novel Strands in Artificial Intelligence, Astrobiology and Space Missions
18 - 19 July
University of Oxford
Speakers: Abstracts and Bios (click to open separate page)
Location - Venues
Conference: Breakthrough Discuss Conference
Examination Schools, University of Oxford
75 - 81 High St, Oxford OX1 4BG, United Kingdom
South Writing School | Oxford University Event Venues
Reception: Bodleian Library Conference Reception (Friday)
Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BG, United Kingdom
(This page is updated regularly)
Schedule
Schedules are liable to change, check back often.
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Radcliffe Observatory Speakers Reception - Closed event for speakers, chairs and hosts
Wednesday, July 17 / 17:00-20:00 (BST)
Dress code: Smart Casual
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Day One - Breakthrough Discuss
Thursday, July 18 / 08:00 - 17:30 (BST)
08:00 Registration and Breakfast
09:00 Commencement: Welcome Remarks
- S. Pete Worden (Breakthrough Prize Foundation, Breakthrough Initiatives)
- Irene Tracey (Vice-Chancellor, University of Oxford)
- Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (University of Oxford, Department of Physics)
- Nikku Madhusudhan (University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy)
- Michael Garrett (University of Manchester, Department of Physics and Astronomy)
09:10 Strand 1: Science Transformed by Artificial Intelligence
- Chairs: Chris Lintott (University of Oxford) and Michelle Lochner (University of the Western Cape)
- Alexis Boukouvalas (DeepMind) - Highlight talk
- Regu Angappan (SandboxAQ) - Highlight talk
- Ashley Villar (Harvard University)
10:20 Break: Coffee
10:40: Continued: Strand 1: Science Transformed by Artificial Intelligence
- Paul Nathan (University College London)
- Daniel Muthukrishna (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
- Guillermo Cabrera-Vives (University of Concepción)
- Vishal Gajjar (SETI Institute/UC Berkeley)
12:00 Break: Lunch
13:00 Strand 1: Panel Discussion: Science Transformed by Artificial Intelligence
- Chairs: Chris Lintott (University of Oxford) and Michelle Lochner (University of the Western Cape)
- Panellists: Guillermo Cabrera-Vives (University of Concepción), Vishal Gajjar (Breakthrough Listen), Daniel Muthukrishna (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Paul Nathan (University College London), Ashley Villar (Harvard University)
13:40 Break: Coffee
14:00 Strand 2: Fabric of Life On and Off the Earth
- Chairs: Penny Boston (NASA Ames Research Center) and Chris Glein (Southwest Research Institute)
- Bethany Theiling (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
- Chris Glein (Southwest Research Institute)
- Jane Greaves (Cardiff University)
15:10 Break: Coffee
15:30 Continued: Strand 2: Fabric of Life On and Off the Earth
- Suzanne Aigrain (University of Oxford)
- Ross Anderson (University of Oxford)
- Raymond Pierrehumbert (University of Oxford)
16:30 Break: Coffee
16:45 Strand 2: Panel Discussion: Fabric of Life On and Off the Earth
- Chairs: Penny Boston (NASA Ames Research Center) and Chris Glein (Southwest Research Institute)
- Panellists (6): Suzanne Aigrain (University of Oxford), Ross Anderson (University of Oxford), Chris Glein (Southwest Research Institute), Jane Greaves (Cardiff University), Raymond Pierrehumbert (University of Oxford), Bethany Theiling (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
17:25 Closing remarks
17:30 Adjourn
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Day Two - Breakthrough Discuss
Friday, July 19 / 08:00 - 15:30 (BST)
08:00 Registration and Breakfast
09:00 Commencement: Welcome Remarks
- Rob Fender (University of Oxford, Department of Physics)
- Philip Diamond (Director-General, SKA Organisation)
09:05 Strand 3: New Frontiers in Space Exploration
- Chairs: Carly Howett (University of Oxford) and Zac Manchester (Carnegie Mellon University)
- Carly Howett (University of Oxford)
- Carolyn Mercer (NASA Headquarters)
- Hugh Mortimer (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Space)
10:10 Break: Coffee
10:25: Continued: Strand 3: New Frontiers in Space Exploration
- Vandi Verma (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
- Michele Bannister (University of Canterbury)
- Stuart Bale (UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab)
- Edward Balaban (NASA Ames Research Center)
11:45 Break: Coffee
12:00 Strand 3: Panel Discussion: New Frontiers in Space Exploration
- Chairs: Carly Howett (University of Oxford) and Zac Manchester (Carnegie Mellon University)
- Panellists (6): Edward Balaban (NASA Ames Research Center), Stuart Bale (UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab), Michele Bannister (University of Canterbury), Carolyn Mercer (NASA Headquarters), Hugh Mortimer (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory), Vandi Verma (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
12:30 Break: Lunch
13:30 Highlight talks
- Chair: Chris Lintott (University of Oxford)
- Arpita Roy (Schmidt Sciences)
- Alison Lowndes (NVIDIA)
- David Deutsch (University of Oxford)
14:35 Break: Coffee
14:55 Highlight talks: Panel Discussion
- Chair: Chris Lintott (University of Oxford)
- Panellists (5): Regu Angappan (SandboxAQ), Alexis Boukouvalas (DeepMind), David Deutsch (University of Oxford), Alison Lowndes (NVIDIA), Arpita Roy (Schmidt Sciences)
15:25 Closing remarks
15:30 Adjourn: Coffee
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Bodleian Library Conference Reception (Requires Eventbrite registration for entry)
Friday, July 19 / 19:00 - 23:30 (BST)
Dress code: Smart Casual
19:00 Doors open (Eventbrite ticket required for entry)
- Welcome drinks / Heavy hors d'oeuvres throughout the evening
20:00 Welcome remarks
- Live Music / Drinks / Heavy hors d'oeuvres
22:00 Tea Room opens
23:30 Adjourn
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Conference Theme
A Cosmic Tapestry for Exploration:
Weaving Novel Strands in Artificial Intelligence, Astrobiology and Space Missions
Breakthrough Discuss 2024 will unite three scientific strands that are transforming our view of the universe and our place in it: Artificial Intelligence, Astrobiology and Space Missions. Each field is undergoing a transformation fueled by recent discoveries, innovative engineering, and groundbreaking ideas. Together, they are expanding the way we think about life in the cosmos and the potential for humanity’s exploration of it.
Strand 1: Science Transformed by Artificial Intelligence
A revolution in data science and advancements in Artificial Intelligence are weaving new dimensions to astronomy, including innovative approaches of searching for evidence of life beyond the Earth – both biosignatures and technosignatures.
Strand 2: Fabric of Life On and Off the Earth
Evidence from extreme habitats on Earth (and in the lab), studies of the distant past (including life’s origins), the broad range of environments offered by the Solar System, and an increasingly diverse set of exoplanets, are enriching our understanding of the tapestry of life and its potential extent in the cosmos.
Strand 3: New Frontiers in Space Exploration
Emergent launch capabilities coupled with novel robotic technologies promise a new era in space missions. Whether remote sensing or in situ, from the far side of the Moon or voyaging to the outer reaches of the Solar System and beyond, these capabilities present a new canvas for scientific exploration.
Registration
The conference and reception are invitation-only and capacity-limited in person. If you did not receive an invite and wish to attend in person, please email discuss@breakthrough-initiatives.org. We will consider your request provided there is capacity and affiliation with a partnering institution.
Online participation
Zoom participants can engage in a chatroom and submit questions via the Zoom webinar (for those registered).
The conference will also be livestreamed on: Breakthrough - YouTube
Accommodation
Oxford is always busy, so it is strongly recommended to book your accommodation before you travel. You can sample Oxford life by staying in one of the colleges, or there are hotels and B&Bs.
- The Randolph Hotel (hotel where speakers and hosts are staying) Beaumont St, Oxford OX1 2LN, United Kingdom.
- University Rooms provides a booking service for rooms and colleges and other university owned accommodation at reasonable rates, particularly during the University vacations.
- Bookings may be made directly with hotels or through companies, booking.com, hotels.com, easyhotel.com, premierinn.com etc.
Conference WiFi Instructions
- Select ‘ExSchWifi’ WiFi network
- A pop-up box should appear; sign in using LinkedIn, Facebook or by a contact number
- Choose which listed option you prefer
- Follow remaining steps and connect
Travelling to Oxford
Information on travelling to Oxford can be found here - Visiting Oxford For questions please contact: discuss@breakthrough-initiatives.org
Past Content
Content and videos from previous years are available here: breakthroughinitiatives.org/initiative/5
Scientific Organizing Committee
- SOC Chair: Chris Lintott (University of Oxford)
- SOC Co-Chair: Jamie Drew (Breakthrough Initiatives)
- Penny Boston (NASA Ames)
- Joe Bright (University of Oxford)
- Patrizia Caraveo (INAF)
- Steve Croft (University of Oxford)
- Therese Docherty (University of Oxford)
- Jamie Drew (Breakthrough Initiatives)
- Rob Fender (University of Oxford)
- Christopher Glein (Southwest Research Institute)
- Kyran Grattan (Breakthrough Initiatives)
- Carly Howett (University of Oxford)
- Zac Manchester (Carnegie Mellon University)
- Michelle Lochner (University of the Western Cape)
- Andrew Siemion (University of Oxford)
Local Organizing Committee
- LOC Chair: Leanne O'Donnell (University of Oxford)
- LOC Co-Chair: Kasia Metkowski (Breakthrough Initiatives)
- Kyran Grattan (Breakthrough Initiatives)
- Ashling Gordon (University of Oxford)
Conference Hosts
- University of Oxford, Department of Physics
- University of Manchester, Department of Physics and Astronomy
- University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy
- SKA Organisation
- Breakthrough Initiatives
Conference Directors
- Jamie Drew (Breakthrough Initiatives)
- Co-Director Kyran Grattan (Breakthrough Initiatives)
Contact
For questions please contact: discuss@breakthrough-initiatives.org