Yannis Ioannidis: Leading ACM into the Future of Computing – A Visionary President’s Roadmap
- Yannis explains the concept behind “ACM 4.0” and its transition to “ACM 4.1”
- Creation of 10 initial and 4 additional presidential task forces to address evolving strategic needs
Podcast
Overview
In this episode of “The Brand Called You” (TBCY), host Stephen Ibaraki sits down with Yannis Ioannidis, the first-ever double-term President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)—the world’s largest computing science organization. Yannis shares strategic updates on ACM’s evolving vision, explores major computing trends like AI, supercomputing, and quantum, and provides an insider’s view on ACM’s role in shaping the future of science and technology.
00:01:18-What is ACM 4.1 and How is ACM’s Vision Progressing?
- Yannis explains the concept behind “ACM 4.0” and its transition to “ACM 4.1”
- Creation of 10 initial and 4 additional presidential task forces to address evolving strategic needs
- Areas of focus: new financial models, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), open science, code of ethics, and ACM’s roles for both members and society
00:05:55-How is ACM Involved with the United Nations and Global Development?
- ACM’s engagement with the UN’s Financing for Development event in Seville, Spain
- Co-organization of an official side event on “Smart Technology Fair: the Promise and Risks of AI for Development”
- Focuses on making digital finance fair and inclusive, particularly for the developing world
00:11:09-What’s ACM’s Role in Supercomputing and High-Performance Computing?
- ACM is a co-organizer of the world’s leading supercomputing conference alongside IEEE
- Discussion on the convergence of high-performance computing, high-throughput computing, and AI
- ACM’s new role as the primary publisher of the Top 500 Supercomputers list
- Reflections on China’s participation, and the achievements of ACM luminaries like Jack Dongara
00:16:46-What’s the Status and Future of Quantum Computing?
- Exploration of quantum computing’s capabilities and current limitations
- Distinction between quantum’s strengths (e.g., factorization) and conventional computing’s broad efficacy
- Real-world examples of hybrid systems in use at places like Oak Ridge National Labs and collaborations with companies like Quantinium
00:23:26-Are We Close to Achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)?
- Contrasting viewpoints from AI pioneers such as Geoff Hinton and Yann LeCun on the future of AGI and AI consciousness
- Yannis’s personal perspective: cautious pragmatism, leaning toward LeCun’s world model vision and the necessity for embodied intelligence (robotics)
- The balance between optimism about progress and caution about unpredictability
00:34:41-How is Robotics Evolving Alongside AI and What’s Next?
- The challenges of combining mechanical engineering and AI for embodied intelligence
- Reference to companies and thought leaders (e.g., NVIDIA, Bernard Khosla) predicting a future with ubiquitous robotics
- Yannis’s pragmatic yet optimistic take on the integration of AI in robotics
00:39:47-Is ACM Expanding Its Recognition Towards Interdisciplinary Excellence?
- Discussion on nominating interdisciplinary contributors (e.g., Bob Langer, Demis Hassabis) for ACM recognitions like the Turing Award
- Upcoming initiatives like the ACM AI Summit (planned for 2026) focusing on AI’s impact across various fields
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Yannis Ioannidis: Linkedin
Enjoyed this podcast?
If you learned new insights about Leading the Future of Supercomputing & AI: ACM co-leads the world’s top supercomputing conference, is expanding its role in benchmarking (Top500 supercomputers), and is closely tracking developments in hybrid quantum-classical systems, and share them with friends!
Love to give us 5 stars? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you do, we’d love a review from you. Help us reach more people to keep them in the know as we talk to leaders, high achievers, and thought leaders from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Excellence can come from anywhere; stay in the know, and hear from emergent high achievers and gurus.
Stay updated with what’s shaping the world today through the latest The Brand Called You Podcast episode. Follow us on iTunes, Spotify, and Anchor.fm.
You can find us at:
Website: www.tbcy.in
Instagram: http://bit.ly/3HO7N06
Facebook:http://bit.ly/3YzJOaD
Twitter: http://bit.ly/3wMBOXK
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tbcy/
YouTube: http://bit.ly/3jmBqfq
Chingari: https://chingari.io/tbcypodcast
Josh: http://bit.ly/3WWP0nB
Thanks for listening!
Profile
- Yannis explains the concept behind “ACM 4.0” and its transition to “ACM 4.1”
- Creation of 10 initial and 4 additional presidential task forces to address evolving strategic needs
- Areas of focus: new financial models, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), open science, code of ethics, and ACM’s roles for both members and society
