Dr. Alessio Figalli, a mathematician at ETH Zurich and winner of the 2018 Fields Medal, specializes in optimal transport, seeking the most efficient ways to allocate resources. This study, dating back to Gaspard Monge in the 18th century, has applications in various fields such as meteorology, with transport paths influencing cloud movements.
Figalli finds the eternal nature of math appealing, highlighting its absolute truths and potential impact on society. The practical applications of math, like in machine learning, drive his research towards optimizing complex problems, like addressing the curse of dimensionality to improve A.I. reliability.
His work reflects the constant interaction between mathematical theory and real-world problems, emphasizing that creativity cannot be entirely optimized and that risks and failure are crucial for breakthroughs. By finding ways to make optimization problems in machine learning more robust, stable, and reliable using optimal transport techniques, Figalli hopes to bridge the gap between the engineering prowess of A.I. and the mathematical understanding behind it.
In a world where math plays a crucial role from smartphones to Google, Figalli encourages valuing creativity and risking uncertainties to foster innovation. His groundbreaking research demonstrates the power of math not just in solving today’s problems but in shaping the future of technology and society.
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