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Bill Gates meets DERI researchers during Queen Mary visit

Researchers from Queen Mary's Digital Environment Research Institute (DERI) had a unique opportunity to meet Bill Gates during his visit to the University last week, sharing their work and discussing how artificial intelligence is helping to tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges.

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Bill Gates with DERI staff, researchers and affiliates.

Ahead of a University-wide Q&A session, DERI Director Professor Greg Slabaugh introduced Bill Gates to a group of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working in and affiliated with DERI, whose research spans AI for healthcare, the environment, crop protection and responsible AI.

The visit highlighted the shared ambitions of Queen Mary University of London and the Gates Foundation, both committed to tackling global challenges, reducing inequalities and creating opportunities for people around the world.

Speaking during his visit, Gates said:

“It's energising to spend time with students who are curious about how AI will change education, work, and health. I was impressed to learn how Queen Mary is organised around AI. It's not just the mathematicians or computer scientists who are working on it. It's the entire university. That will be incredibly powerful for students as they take on the tough challenges we'll face in this AI transition.”

Reflecting on the meeting, Professor Slabaugh commented:

“Bill recognised our interdisciplinary approach, bringing AI researchers together with colleagues in medicine, science and engineering, and the humanities and social sciences.

He engaged with each of our early career researchers, asking insightful questions and offering thoughtful comments on their work. He also had a great conversation with David about our AI work on the international stage.

Later in his talk, it was exciting to see Zara Arain and Semhar Misghina ask questions on behalf of DERI. Hearing about the work Bill and the Gates Foundation are doing to improve health and opportunity around the world made the day especially inspiring.”

The visit was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the breadth of interdisciplinary AI research taking place across DERI and Queen Mary, and to highlight the important role of early career researchers in developing technologies that can make a real difference to people's lives.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make the visit possible, and especially to our researchers for sharing their work with such clarity and enthusiasm.

 

 

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