Vivien Puppa Kocsis

Vivien Puppa Kocsis Speaking Topics

• AI and space tech for fire monitoring

  Were the Los Angeles fires predictable? Are these fires an outlying event or part of the standard pattern of Mother Nature? Are city fires the new normal? Wildfires move with terrifying speed – some LA fires spread at 6 football fields per minute, outpacing even Usain Bolt - and thus fire response has to be even faster. While the LA fires paint a grim picture, the powerful synergy of cutting-edge AI and space technology can offer a lifeline. For example, NASA’s MODIS satellite has been collecting fire trends data for 26 years and in a few months Google’s research team will help orbit a new satellite that will allow fire monitoring with the unprecedented accuracy of 5x5 meters and at a reduced processing time: computation that takes 1 minute now will take 30 milliseconds. Vivien is an award-winning scientist, trained by the FDNY New York City Fire Department, a former Googler, and a current researcher for NASA - join her in exploring the transformative potential of AI’s and space tech’s synergy in fire management and UN Sustainable Development Goals impact.

  Key takeaways:

  • Wildfires are not bad per se, wildfires are part of nature’s normal cycle.
  • Major fires are typically predictable.
  • The synergy between cutting-edge AI and space technology transforms fire monitory and management

• The cost of AI - for businesses and for the environment

  Everyone knows the benefits of AI: it can help humanity in unprecedented ways. For example, thanks to AI, Harvard and NASA scientists can now see an invisible organism all the way from space! However, few discuss the costs of AI - and it has many. For instance, processing complicated algorithms requires a lot of energy and is expected to triple in the next few years, leading to a data center building "frenzy". AI in the wrong hands might actually fool animals. Come discover these AI costs through the lens of a natural sciences study!

  There are 3 key takeaways:

  • AI has the potential to help humanity in unprecedented ways, including tackling climate change.
  • AI has a hidden cost that few talk about: most algorithms - especially GenAI models - are incredibly energy-consuming, taxing the environment.
  • Due to AI’s energy consumption electricity prices are expected to increase, negatively impacting businesses globally but also creating an opportunity.

• From Stuck to Start - The Science of Motivation

  What happens in our brain when we procrastinate versus when we can’t wait to launch into action? What happens when we are so consumed in action that we don’t realize the passing of time? What is the famous “flow” state? And most importantly: how can we help our brain to become more motivated and action-oriented? Join the conversation with an award-winning Harvard and NASA scientist who combines cutting-edge neuroscience and AI to explore our brain on motivation! Take a look inside her brain, real time, as she performs various tasks on stage. This session will demystify motivation and leave the audience with practical takeaways on how to tap into the brain’s “action zone”.

  There are 3 key takeaways:

  • The brain goes through a specific neuroscience process during procrastination versus launching into action: it has been observed and documented on several occasions.
  • The power of habit and actions to induce our motivation is not to be understated: the most highly active and effective people of history went through similar actions to induce motivation.
  • You can induce your own motivation by following a few simple steps that are available to everyone, everywhere.

• Your Eureka Engine: Your Brain - The Science of Creativity

  What happens in our brain when we have a creative burst? What happens when we have an Eureka moment? What happens when we are so consumed in creating that we don’t realize the passing of time? What is the famous “flow” state? And most importantly: how can we help our brain to become more creative? How to get out of a creative block? Join the conversation with an award-winning Harvard and NASA scientist who combines cutting-edge neuroscience and AI to explore our brain on creativity! Take a look inside her brain, real time, as she performs various tasks on stage. This session will demystify creativity and leave the audience with practical takeaways on how to tap into the brain’s “genius zone”.

  There are 3 key takeaways:

  • The brain goes through a specific neuroscience process during a creative burst and Eureka moment: it has been observed and documented on several occasions.
  • The power of habit and actions to induce our creativity is not to be understated: the most creative people of history went through similar actions to induce creative bursts.
  • You can induce your own creativity by following a few simple steps that are available to everyone everywhere.

• Earth's Key Creature is Invisible - but Seen from Space?!

  What is the most critical creature on Earth? Hint: it is invisible to the naked eye, 99% of the people never heard about it, 200 years ago we didn't even know it existed, yet it produces over 50% of the Earth's oxygen. BUT: despite being invisible, it can be seen from space! For this reason, NASA just put into orbit a new satellite specifically dedicated to this creature: phytoplankton. Join the conversation with award-winning NASA and Harvard scientists on how we can see the invisible by leveraging the newest break-through space technology and AI. You might also get to touch and TASTE this creature!

  There are 3 key takeaways:

  • It is only "plant-a-tree" marketing campaigns that over-inflated the perceived importance of trees for oxygen production and climate change.
  • This creature is all around us, and some versions of it are toxic: it can make humans and pets really sick, impacting our everyday life.
  • As an "AI for Good" use case, it shows we can foster 4 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with the use of next-gen technologies.