MEDIA ADVISORY: Discover hidden math in everyday life: UH Mānoa welcomes mathematician Ellenberg
University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaWHAT: Discover the hidden connections between seemingly unrelated fields. Anyone curious about the surprising ways math shapes our world, from students to families and the general public, are invited to join the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for a public lecture by Jordan Ellenberg, renowned mathematician and author, as he reveals the incredible story of the "random walk." Learn how this mathematical concept, born from efforts to control mosquitoes, understand physics, predict financial markets and even win a theological debate, has become a cornerstone of modern artificial intelligence like ChatGPT.
WHEN: Monday, March 31, 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Physical Sciences Building, Room 217, UH Mānoa
WHO: Jordan Ellenberg, John D. MacArthur Professor of Mathematics, Guggenheim Fellow, and New York Times best-selling author
WHY:
- To explore the unexpected origins and powerful applications of a fundamental mathematical idea.
- To understand how the "random walk" connects historical scientific puzzles to the latest advancements in AI.
- To gain insights into the capabilities and future of artificial intelligence in an accessible and engaging way.
- To show the general public how math is connected to many everyday things.
- To show that math can be very interesting and fun.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
- Between 1905 and 1910, the concept of the random walk emerged independently in multiple countries for diverse purposes, highlighting its universal relevance.
- Ellenberg will explain how "Markov processes," named after a theologian, are central to the development of AI systems.
- This lecture aims to demystify complex mathematical concepts and make them accessible to a broad audience.