Towards Trustworthy AI: Reflections on Learning and Smale's Legacy

In this talk, I will reflect on my journey spanning over two decades in the exploration of machine learning and intelligence—a path that began as the final PhD student of Professor Steve Smale at UC Berkeley. Inspired by Smale's 18th problem, posed in 1998, my research has been driven by a deep curiosity to understand the fundamental limitations of intelligence and the distinctions between artificial and human intelligence. Along this journey, I have delved into the intersections of dynamical algorithms, topology learning, and the development of trustworthy AI. This presentation is also a tribute to Steve Smale on his 95th birthday, a milestone that brings to mind our first meeting during his 69th—a moment that profoundly shaped my career and perspective.