The world of AI/Machine Learning is evolving fast. If you’re like me, keeping up with the latest developments can seem like trying to reach a destination while walking on a treadmill. Sometimes it’s worth it to just step off, pause, and look back at the origins of many of the paradigms and algorithms that got us to where AI is today.

We are very fortunate that many but, sadly, not all, of the inventors who shaped AI are alive today. It can be inspiring (if sometimes intimidating) to hear about pivotal moments in the field from the very people who made them so significant. To that end, I’ve included the following seven videos (taken from past interviews and talks) because of what we can learn from these luminaries of our profession.

Together, the videos shine a light on the history of these algorithms, particularly on specific problems these researchers were trying to solve. Their solutions eventually led to the invention of the algorithms themselves. This glance at the past provides a deeper understanding of the methods and suitability of the algorithms for different applications.

The videos also give us a glimpse into the thought processes behind these inventions. An understanding of these mental processes might, in turn, help us apply these similar processes to solve the problems our field currently faces.

Finally, the videos provide an entertaining history of the development of the algorithms, analogous to the way the “origin stories” in comic books help readers understand the “back story” of popular heroes and heroines.

The Seven Stories