I just got back from AAAI in Singapore and it did not disappoint 😉.
On the academic side, I had the chance to present both of our accepted papers. Presenting our GSD paper was especially meaningful as it’s one of my favorite projects I’ve worked on in grad school, and my first main conference paper as a first author that I’ve had accepted. Additionally, there was lots of cool research I got to learn about this year, like AI for wildlife conservation, AI in legal and law enforcement contexts, and a particularly thought-provoking talk on the challenges and opportunities of human-centered AI.
The opening reception was also easily one of the coolest I’ve been to because it was held at the zoo, which had manatees, capybaras, etc. and wild monkeys which screamed from the trees as we walked around (there were “do not feed the monkeys” signs everywhere, which definitely added to the experience. Also, the zoo had pandas but evidently they fell asleep before we got a chance to see them).
Beyond the conference, Singapore itself was fascinating. There’s a very rich blend of cultures there (Malay, Indian, Chinese, etc.), the national mascot is the Merlion (half lion, half fish, which is honestly iconic), and there’s lots of interesting rules. For example, no gum, mandatory tray returns after eating (or you get fined), and a strong emphasis on cleanliness and order — which overall made for a very welcoming/safe vibe. It’s also a very rich city which has a very beautiful skyline at night:
While there I explored a lot, including visits to Little India, Chinatown, Arab Street, the Botanic Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Gardens by the Bay (the light show was fun), and so much more.
The architecture around the city was very diverse:
And of course the food was amazing…also, I’m not much of a drinker but the national beer there is Tiger — which again, another ELITE mascot choice.
Overall, I’d say the conference was a success, the trip was amazing, and I had a great time catching up with everyone.
And though I was sad to leave…Singapore — this isn’t goodbye forever, just for now.