I completed a successful IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer Tour (DLT) to the United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland Chapter in November 2024. I enjoyed my DL tour because it was unique. On one hand, it was jointly sponsored by IEEE ComSoc and Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA). On the other hand, my tour took place in the right place at the right time to connect Past, Present and Future: the United Kingdom played a pivotal role as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and a key player in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), i.e., “next industrial revolution” (past); the world is riding the third wave of AI (present) to advance communications technology for the betterment of humanity (future).
I visited four universities in Scotland: Edinburgh Napier University, whose name was taken from 16th-century Scottish mathematician and philosopher John Napier, best known as the discoverer of logarithms, University of Edinburgh, whose alumnus Geoffrey Hinton was recently awarded 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on machine learning, University of Strathclyde, the UK’s first technological university, reflecting its history, teaching and research in technological education, and Heriot-Watt University, half of whose name was taken from Scottish inventor James Watt, best known for inventing different types of steam engine that helped start the Industrial Revolution.
In addition to the DLT talks, I had small group meetings with faculty and students at each university I visited. These meetings deepened my understanding of communications technology in the AI/machine learning age and fostered potential transatlantic collaborations. IEEE UK and Ireland Section shared my tour information in seven different posts via social media, especially X (formerly Twitter). I was impressed that some attendees followed me from one university to another to attend my lectures. I also noticed that some attendees were affiliated with universities other than the four universities that hosted me. Thanks to Prof. Nauman Aslam, the IEEE UK and Ireland Communications Chapter Chair, for coordinating and advertising efforts.
My Seven Talks
In this DLT, I delivered seven talks, scheduled as follows:
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Edinburgh Napier University, hosted by Prof. Thomas Tan, on November 19, 2024;
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Edinburgh Napier University, hosted by Prof. Thomas Tan, on November 20, 2024;
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University of Edinburgh, hosted by Prof. Luo Mai and Prof. Jingjie Li, on November 21, 2024;
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University of Strathclyde, hosted by Prof. Karen Renaud, on November 25, 2024;
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University of Strathclyde, hosted by Dr. Ryan Gibson, on November 26, 2024;
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Heriot-Watt University, hosted by Prof. Yuan Ding, on November 27, 2024;
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Heriot-Watt University, hosted by Prof. Yuan Ding, on November 28, 2024.
These DLT talks covered seven different but interconnected topics.
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In the first talk, “Networked Systems and Security Research in the Age of AI/Machine Learning,” I presented my recent research on networked system design and verification and quickest anomaly detection.
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In the second talk, “AI for Cybersecurity and Security of AI,” I shared my research and perspective on using AI techniques to enhance cybersecurity and using cybersecurity practices to guard AI technologies.
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In the third talk, “AI/Machine Learning for the Internet of Dependable and Controllable Things,” I highlighted the role of AI/machine learning in enabling the move from the Internet of Things to the Internet of Dependable and Controllable Things.
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In the fourth talk, “Secure and Trustworthy Transportation Cyber-Physical Systems,” I presented my research on the applications of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems in the transportation sector.
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In the fifth talk, “Neuro-symbolic AI: The Third Wave of AI,” I shared my journey from cyber-physical systems to explainable AI, transfer learning, and incremental learning to neuro-symbolic AI and my perspective on the past, Present, and Future of neuro-symbolic AI.
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In the sixth talk entitled “Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System(s) (C-UAS): State of the Art, Challenges and Future Trends”, I presented my award-winning research on Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System(s) (C-UAS) and shared my perspectives on the state of the art, challenges, and future trends of C-UAS.
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In the seventh talk, “Quickest Event Detection in the Age of AI/Machine Learning,” I presented my domain-agnostic quickest event detection framework powered by AI/machine learning. At the end of each talk, I highlighted the IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer Program (DLP) and US-UK research collaboration opportunities.
Sightseeing after My Talks
During my DL trip, I spent one extended weekend sightseeing in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
On Friday, November 22, 2024, I walked through the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland. First, I walked in the footsteps of history by stopping at Edinburgh Castle, the most iconic building in the city. Next, I climbed the world-famous Scott Monument in the heart of Princes Street for breathtaking views across the city. Then I explored the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King’s official residence in Scotland and the home of Scottish royal history, and the Scottish Parliament, the home of Scottish democracy. Last, I entered the National Museum of Scotland to discover the delights of the natural world, travel back in time through Scottish history, explore world cultures, and be enthralled by modern-day technology. I also enjoyed traditional Scottish Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, and Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, Edinburgh had its first snow of this winter, turning it into a winter wonderland.
On Sunday, November 24, 2024, I visited the magnificent medieval Glasgow Cathedral, the only one on the Scottish mainland to survive the Reformation of 1560 intact. I climbed the Glasgow Necropolis to get a fantastic view of Glasgow from the summit.
Conclusions
The IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer Program (DLP) is excellent. By becoming and being an IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer, you could advance your professional development and boost your career.
By participating in a DLT, IEEE ComSoc Chapters and conferences could benefit from access to the most critical topics in communications technology today and tomorrow.
