Why You Should Join Us for the NeurIPS Conference…
By Didier Vila, Global Head of Data Science, QuantumBlack
With under two weeks to go until the Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) conference begins in Montreal, we want to let you know how you can be part of the QuantumBlack experience! Over the course of the seven-day conference we will be hosting a number of opportunities for you to learn more about the work that we do and to meet our amazing team!
If you are heading to NeurIPS this year, we would love to meet you at our booth (#611) where you can get to know us and you can hear about some of the exciting work that we are doing and receive our daily giveaways!
Join us at the NeurIPS Expo
On 2 December, we will be hosting a session on Fairness and Explainability: From Ideation to Implementation which will provide an overview of QuantumBlack’s process of implementing and testing AI and fairness through a dive deep into a practitioner’s view and sharing exercises between industry and academia. Our objective is to generate ideas, and discuss progress in these areas as they are increasingly important for industry applications, so make sure you come along and join us!
Delve into Explainable AI
On 6 December, we will be hosting a QuantumBlack side event, which will offer our guests the opportunity to explore the topic of Explainable AI (XAI) with a panel of experts. The panel will be followed by our after party, where you can meet fellow NeurIPS attendees and enjoy food, drinks and music, brought to you by LA composer and performer DJ Sleeper.
The panel will be chaired by QuantumBlack’s Global Head of Data Science, Didier Vila and he will be joined by: Zachary Lipton, Assistant Professor, Carnegie Mellon University, Ines Marusic, Data Scientist, QuantumBlack and Andrew Ross, PhD student in Computer Science, Harvard University.
If you are attending NeurIPS and interested in joining please register here.
Enjoy Montreal…
If you find that after the conference you are looking for a way to unwind and explore the beautiful city of Montreal, here are some of our top recommendations — Enjoy!
Looking for some culture to start off with? Well why not head to the first Gothic revival church in Canada. Bathed in blues and stained glass, the Basilica is an unforgettable start to exploring the richness and intricacy of architecture in the city.
2. Walk though the enchanting Old Montreal
For a step back in time visit the enchanting cobbled streets of Old Montreal. Walk down the promenade to the Old Port’s riverside broad walks which offer stunning views of the Clock Tower and Jacques Cartier Bridge.
3. Fresh Products in the Jean-Talon Market
If you are a market lover longing to try some fresh local produce head to this open-air public market filled with flowers, fruits, vegetables and artisanal products.
4. Latin Dancing at Olympic Park
In the enormous Olympic stadium (tallest tower in the world) every Sunday the venue transforms into a Latin-themed dance and food festival, with the entire stadium lit up and 50 food trucks lining the streets!
5. Feast at Schwartz’s Deli
Once owned by Canada’s biggest export, Celine Dion, this deli is as much a landmark as it is a lunch spot. The queues are around the door each day, so be sure to arrive early if you fancy a visit.
6. Cheers with Craft Beer at Brasserie Artisanale Dieu Du Ciel
To taste one of the best ranked beers in the world, visit this delightful pub and make sure to try the Aphrodisiaque, a dark and velvety cocoa and vanilla stout!
7. Montreal Bagels
If you’re a real foodie — recommend you try a Montreal bagel. You know what makes a bagel from Montreal a “Montreal Bagel”? A wood-fired oven and some sweet, sweet honey. When it comes to finding them in the city, there are two go-to places: Fairmount and St-Viateur Bagel. These are highly popular with the locals (always a good sign) and are only a block apart, so you can always visit both if you’re feeling particularly peckish.
8. Satosphere
Looking for a great night out — head to Satosphere, which sits atop the Society for Arts and Technology’s (SAT) on St. Laurent sits the Satosphere, the first modular and immersive theatre of its kind. More than 150 speakers and eight video projectors are used to bring digital installations to life in the futuristic 42-foot-tall dome.
9. Parc Jean Drapeau
Fancy some fresh air? Well head to Parc Jean Drapeau, spread across two islands in the river Southeast of Montreal. With open green spaces, the park offers an outdoorsy escape from the city and hosts big events like Osheaga, Piknic Electronik and the International Fireworks Competition.
10. Montreal Jazz Festival
Last but not least is the world-renowned Montreal Jazz Festival where the city comes to life with outdoor concerts lining the streets and every music venue filled with an array of eclectic performances. This is one not to miss!
After reading this article, your schedule for the week should be looking pretty full so we look forward to seeing you all in Montreal!
