{"id":3877,"date":"2026-01-08T17:04:05","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T08:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emme.riko.akita-u.ac.jp\/?page_id=3877"},"modified":"2026-01-26T15:08:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T06:08:11","slug":"aboutai","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/emme.riko.akita-u.ac.jp\/en\/aboutai\/","title":{"rendered":"AI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group quote-section has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-03999a64 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue);border-left-width:4px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default blkquote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-right:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:1.05rem\">&#8220;My recommendation was\u2026 to take the maximum number of courses on foundations (e.g. math, physics) rather than take courses on the trendy technology du jour\u2026 [We should] learn things with a long shelf life\u2026 basic things in mathematics, in modeling, mathematics that can be connected with reality.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"blk-footer has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-b97fbcfc077b95f23ffd5834a0842afd wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u2014 Yann LeCun<\/strong> (Chief AI Scientist at Meta, Turing award winner for his work on AI)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Interact with the map below to explore our AI related curriculum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group map-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"map-container\">\n        <!-- SVG Interactive Map -->\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 1000 500\" class=\"brain-svg\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n            <defs>\n                <filter id=\"glow\" x=\"-50%\" y=\"-50%\" width=\"200%\" height=\"200%\">\n                    <feGaussianBlur stdDeviation=\"3\" result=\"coloredBlur\"\/>\n                    <feMerge>\n                        <feMergeNode in=\"coloredBlur\"\/>\n                        <feMergeNode in=\"SourceGraphic\"\/>\n                    <\/feMerge>\n                <\/filter>\n            <\/defs>\n\n            <!-- Background Grid (Light Grey) -->\n            <pattern id=\"grid\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" patternUnits=\"userSpaceOnUse\">\n                <path d=\"M 40 0 L 0 0 0 40\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#eee\" stroke-width=\"1\"\/>\n            <\/pattern>\n            <rect width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" fill=\"url(#grid)\"\/>\n\n            <!-- \n                ZONE 1: INPUT LAYER (The Foundation) \n                Color: Deep Blue #0077cc\n            -->\n            <g id=\"zone-input\" class=\"zone-group\">\n                <!-- Hit Box: Invisible to catch clicks -->\n                <rect x=\"100\" y=\"0\" width=\"300\" height=\"500\" class=\"hit-box\" \/>\n                \n                <!-- Label -->\n                <text x=\"200\" y=\"50\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0077cc\" class=\"zone-label\">The Foundation<\/text>\n                <text x=\"150\" y=\"470\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#777\" font-size=\"12\">Math &#038; Stats<\/text>\n\n                <!-- Nodes and Lines -->\n                <g class=\"network-lines\" stroke=\"#0077cc\" stroke-width=\"1\" opacity=\"0.4\">\n                    <!-- Connections to Middle Layer -->\n                    <line x1=\"150\" y1=\"150\" x2=\"400\" y2=\"100\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"150\" y1=\"150\" x2=\"400\" y2=\"200\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"150\" y1=\"150\" x2=\"400\" y2=\"300\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"150\" y1=\"250\" x2=\"400\" y2=\"100\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"150\" y1=\"250\" x2=\"400\" y2=\"200\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"150\" y1=\"250\" x2=\"400\" y2=\"300\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"150\" y1=\"250\" x2=\"400\" y2=\"400\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"150\" y1=\"350\" x2=\"400\" y2=\"200\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"150\" y1=\"350\" x2=\"400\" y2=\"300\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"150\" y1=\"350\" x2=\"400\" y2=\"400\" \/>\n                <\/g>\n\n                <!-- Input Nodes (Vertical Column) -->\n                <circle cx=\"150\" cy=\"150\" r=\"8\" fill=\"#0077cc\" class=\"node-circle\" \/>\n                <circle cx=\"150\" cy=\"250\" r=\"8\" fill=\"#0077cc\" class=\"node-circle\" \/>\n                <circle cx=\"150\" cy=\"350\" r=\"8\" fill=\"#0077cc\" class=\"node-circle\" \/>\n            <\/g>\n\n            <!-- \n                ZONE 2: HIDDEN LAYERS (The Engine\/CS) \n                Color: Deep Orange #e65100\n            -->\n            <g id=\"zone-middle\" class=\"zone-group\">\n                <rect x=\"400\" y=\"0\" width=\"400\" height=\"500\" class=\"hit-box\" \/>\n                \n                <text x=\"500\" y=\"50\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#e65100\" class=\"zone-label\">The Engine<\/text>\n                <text x=\"500\" y=\"470\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#777\" font-size=\"12\">Discrete Math &#038; Algorithms<\/text>\n\n                <g class=\"network-lines\" stroke=\"#e65100\" stroke-width=\"1\" opacity=\"0.4\">\n                    <!-- Internal Connections -->\n                    <line x1=\"400\" y1=\"100\" x2=\"600\" y2=\"120\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"400\" y1=\"100\" x2=\"600\" y2=\"250\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"400\" y1=\"200\" x2=\"600\" y2=\"120\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"400\" y1=\"200\" x2=\"600\" y2=\"250\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"400\" y1=\"200\" x2=\"600\" y2=\"380\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"400\" y1=\"300\" x2=\"600\" y2=\"120\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"400\" y1=\"300\" x2=\"600\" y2=\"250\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"400\" y1=\"300\" x2=\"600\" y2=\"380\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"400\" y1=\"400\" x2=\"600\" y2=\"250\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"400\" y1=\"400\" x2=\"600\" y2=\"380\" \/>\n                    \n                    <!-- Connections to Output -->\n                    <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"120\" x2=\"850\" y2=\"180\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"120\" x2=\"850\" y2=\"320\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"250\" x2=\"850\" y2=\"180\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"250\" x2=\"850\" y2=\"320\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"380\" x2=\"850\" y2=\"180\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"380\" x2=\"850\" y2=\"320\" \/>\n                <\/g>\n\n                <!-- Hidden Layer 1 -->\n                <circle cx=\"400\" cy=\"100\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#e65100\" class=\"node-circle\" \/>\n                <circle cx=\"400\" cy=\"200\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#e65100\" class=\"node-circle\" \/>\n                <circle cx=\"400\" cy=\"300\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#e65100\" class=\"node-circle\" \/>\n                <circle cx=\"400\" cy=\"400\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#e65100\" class=\"node-circle\" \/>\n\n                <!-- Hidden Layer 2 -->\n                <circle cx=\"600\" cy=\"120\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#e65100\" class=\"node-circle\" \/>\n                <circle cx=\"600\" cy=\"250\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#e65100\" class=\"node-circle\" \/>\n                <circle cx=\"600\" cy=\"380\" r=\"6\" fill=\"#e65100\" class=\"node-circle\" \/>\n            <\/g>\n\n            <!-- \n                ZONE 3: OUTPUT LAYER (Applications) \n                Color: Deep Green #009933\n            -->\n            <g id=\"zone-output\" class=\"zone-group\">\n                <rect x=\"600\" y=\"0\" width=\"300\" height=\"500\" class=\"hit-box\" \/>\n\n                <text x=\"800\" y=\"50\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#009933\" class=\"zone-label\">The Applications<\/text>\n                <text x=\"850\" y=\"470\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#777\" font-size=\"12\">Env. Science &#038; Physics<\/text>\n\t\t\n\t\t<g class=\"network-lines\" stroke=\"#009933\" stroke-width=\"1\" opacity=\"0.4\">\n                    <!-- Connections to Output -->\n                    <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"120\" x2=\"850\" y2=\"180\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"120\" x2=\"850\" y2=\"320\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"250\" x2=\"850\" y2=\"180\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"250\" x2=\"850\" y2=\"320\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"380\" x2=\"850\" y2=\"180\" \/>\n                    <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"380\" x2=\"850\" y2=\"320\" \/>\n                <\/g>\n\n                <!-- Output Nodes -->\n                <circle cx=\"850\" cy=\"180\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#009933\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"2\" class=\"node-circle\" \/>\n                <circle cx=\"850\" cy=\"320\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#009933\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"2\" class=\"node-circle\" \/>\n                \n                <!-- Icons\/Symbols near output nodes -->\n                <text x=\"880\" y=\"185\" fill=\"#009933\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"bold\">AI IN EDUCATION<\/text>\n                <text x=\"880\" y=\"325\" fill=\"#009933\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"bold\">EARTH MODELING<\/text>\n            <\/g>\n        <\/svg>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group critical-section has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Wisdom of Knowing &#8220;When Not To&#8221;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-097a4b6782d09441ec780ee2dda03859 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#696969\">True expertise isn&#8217;t just about knowing how to build and deploy a model\u2014it&#8217;s about knowing when <em>not<\/em> to use one. At EMME, we cultivate the critical thinking and mathematical logic required to recognize the fundamental limitations of current AI, such as its struggles with symbolic reasoning. We empower you with the judgment to discern the best tool for the job,<br>whether that is a neural network, statistical modelling or symbolic computation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<!-- MODAL 1: INPUT\/MATH -->\n    <dialog id=\"modal-input\" class=\"modal\">\n        <div class=\"modal-content\">\n            <span class=\"close-btn\">&times;<\/span>\n            <h2>Mathematical Foundations<\/h2>\n            <div class=\"modal-body\">\n                <div class=\"illustration-box\">\n                    <!-- CSS representation of Math concepts -->\n                    <div style=\"text-align: center; color: #0077cc; font-family: monospace;\">\n                        <span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">\u2207f(x) &middot; v<\/span><br>\n                        <span style=\"font-size: 12px; color: #777;\">Calculus &#038; Linear Algebra<\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"text-box\">\n                    <p>At EMME, we build the theoretical intuition required to create new AI models, not just use existing ones.<\/p>\n                    \n                    <strong>1. Linear Algebra (The Representation)<\/strong>\n                    <p>Every dataset is a high-dimensional vector space. We teach you to manipulate these structures to &#8220;see&#8221; patterns in complex environmental data.<\/p>\n                    \n                    <strong>2. Calculus (The Learning)<\/strong>\n                    <p>Learning is optimization. Through <em>Backpropagation<\/em> and <em>Gradient Descent<\/em>, models navigate error landscapes. We teach the multivariable calculus essential for understanding how machines actually &#8220;learn&#8221; from data.<\/p>\n\n                    <strong>3. Probability and Statistics (Interpretation)<\/strong>\n                    <p>AI outputs are probabilities, not certainties. We provide the statistical training necessary to rigorously interpret the reliability of models, which is essential for scientific decision-making.<\/p>\n\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/dialog>\n\n    <!-- MODAL 2: MIDDLE\/ENGINE -->\n    <dialog id=\"modal-engine\" class=\"modal\">\n        <div class=\"modal-content\">\n            <span class=\"close-btn\">&times;<\/span>\n            <h2>The Computational Engine<\/h2>\n            <div class=\"modal-body\">\n                <div class=\"illustration-box\">\n                    <!-- CSS drawing of a graph node structure -->\n                    <svg width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 200 100\">\n                        <circle cx=\"50\" cy=\"50\" r=\"5\" fill=\"#e65100\"\/>\n                        <circle cx=\"150\" cy=\"20\" r=\"5\" fill=\"#e65100\"\/>\n                        <circle cx=\"150\" cy=\"80\" r=\"5\" fill=\"#e65100\"\/>\n                        <line x1=\"50\" y1=\"50\" x2=\"150\" y2=\"20\" stroke=\"#e65100\" stroke-width=\"1\"\/>\n                        <line x1=\"50\" y1=\"50\" x2=\"150\" y2=\"80\" stroke=\"#e65100\" stroke-width=\"1\"\/>\n                        <text x=\"100\" y=\"95\" fill=\"#e65100\" font-size=\"10\" text-anchor=\"middle\">Discrete Math &#038; Algorithms<\/text>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"text-box\">\n                    <p>Understanding the math isn&#8217;t enough; you must implement it efficiently.<\/p>\n\n                    <strong>1. Discrete Mathematics<\/strong>\n                    <p>From graph theory to combinatorics, we teach the discrete structures that underpin neural network architectures and decision trees.<\/p>\n\n                    <strong>2. Programming &#038; Algorithms<\/strong>\n                    <p>We focus on the efficient implementation of learning algorithms and data manipulation. Through the study of automata theory and algorithm analysis, students learn to write code that is optimized for heavy computational tasks.<\/p>\n                       <strong>3. Semiconductor Physics (The Hardware)<\/strong>\n                    <p>Software needs hardware. We study the physical properties of semiconductors\u2014controlling electron movement in GPU \u2014which are the physical brain cells that power AI systems like ChatGPT.<\/br> \n                    <a href=\"\/semiconductors_and_leds\" target=\"_blank\">Lab: Yuichi Sato<\/a><\/p>  \n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/dialog>\n\n    <!-- MODAL 3: OUTPUT\/APPS -->\n    <dialog id=\"modal-output\" class=\"modal\">\n        <div class=\"modal-content\">\n            <span class=\"close-btn\">&times;<\/span>\n            <h2>Real World Applications<\/h2>\n            <div class=\"modal-body\">\n                <div class=\"illustration-box output-circle\">\n                    <div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n                        <span style=\"color: #009933; font-weight: bold;\">FACULTY RESEARCH<\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"text-box\">\n                    <strong>1. Geochemical Data Science<\/strong>\n                    <p>Applying statistical machine learning to trace elemental cycling and monitor environmental changes.<br>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/researchmap.jp\/k_itano\" target=\"_blank\">Lab: Keita Itano<\/a><\/p>\n                    \n                    <strong>2. Generative AI for Education<\/strong>\n                    <p>Developing AI systems that use Generative AI to create adaptive exercises, customizing learning pathways based on student performance.<br>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/researchmap.jp\/khainghsuwai\" target=\"_blank\">Lab: Khaing Hsu Wai<\/a><\/p>\n\n                      \n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/dialog>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;My recommendation was\u2026 to take the maximum number of courses on foundations (e.g. math, physics) rather than take courses on the trendy technology du jour\u2026 [We should] learn things with a long shelf life\u2026 basic things in mathematics, in modeling, mathematics that can be connected with reality.&#8221; \u2014 Yann LeCun (Chief AI Scientist at Meta, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3228,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/emme.riko.akita-u.ac.jp\/?page_id=3875","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3877","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","en-US"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/emme.riko.akita-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3877","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/emme.riko.akita-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/emme.riko.akita-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emme.riko.akita-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emme.riko.akita-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3877"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/emme.riko.akita-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3877\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4006,"href":"https:\/\/emme.riko.akita-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3877\/revisions\/4006"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emme.riko.akita-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3228"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/emme.riko.akita-u.ac.jp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}