Public Lecture: The colorful world of optimization

Thời gian: 09:15 đến 10:00 Ngày 14/03/2025

Địa điểm: Room A901, Building A, Foreign Trade University (FTU), Hanoi

Speaker:  Sebastian Pokutta, Zuse Institute Berlin, Germany

Abstract: Optimization is the silent powerhouse driving innovation across science, technology, and industry. From classical problems in linear programming to modern advancements in nonlinear, combinatorial, and stochastic optimization, this talk offers a tour d’horizon through the evolving landscape of optimization. We will explore fundamental concepts, practical algorithms, and provide some links to applications. Beyond techniques, we will also talk about the underlying mathematics that makes optimization possible as well as the impact of modern optimization methods in machine learning and AI.

About the Speaker: Sebastian Pokutta is a leading expert in Artificial Intelligence and Optimization, currently serving as Vice President of the Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB) and Professor of Mathematics at TU Berlin. He also chairs the Cluster of Excellence MATH+ and Research Campus MODAL. After earning his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Duisburg-Essen, he held research and teaching positions at MIT, IBM ILOG, Georgia Tech, and the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg.

His research focuses on combining Machine Learning with Optimization techniques and exploring the Theory of Extended Formulations, with a strong emphasis on Frank-Wolfe methods for constrained optimization. Beyond academia, Professor Pokutta has extensive experience in consulting, working with industry partners to solve complex optimization problems in areas such as supply chain management, finance, manufacturing, and cyber-physical systems. His applied work includes warehouse optimization, autonomous vehicle fleet simulations, portfolio management, and predictive diagnostics, bridging the gap between theory and real-world applications.

More recently, he has expanded his research to explore the role of AI in scientific discovery, extremal constructions, entanglement detection, and the intersection of AI and creativity. His work continues to push the boundaries of mathematical optimization and machine learning, driving both academic progress and practical innovation.

Registration: please click here

Deadline for registration: before 16:00 on March 13, 2025

Contact: Ms. Nguyen Hong Anh, email: nguyenhonganh@viasm.edu.vn