Generative AI in Scientific Software and Coding Workshop Series

Keynote session by Dr. Tisha Henderson, Ed.D., who directs Microsoft Modern Works for US Academics West. Dr. Henderson will discuss AI fundamentals and history, provide an overview of AI tools, and discuss the future of AI in computational and information systems.

• Unlocking Potential- The Role of AI in Education & Beyond
  Join this informative session to unlock the potential in innovating, delegating, and creating with Generative AI. The session will start with a brief introduction into AI fundamentals, provide an overview of Microsoft AI tools designed to help with professional tasks, and conclude with a glimpse into what the future could hold for roles and organizations within the academic community.

Following the keynote will be an introduction to GitHub Copilot with Julio Guzman, Microsoft.

Title: How to Use GitHub Copilot on NCAR Supercomputers (Derecho/Casper)

Speakers: Brett Neuman, Rory Kelly, Ben Kirk

In this session, participants will learn how to effectively use GitHub Copilot on NCAR’s supercomputers, including Derecho and Casper. The session will provide an overview of integrating Github Copilot with popular editors such as VSCode, NeoVim, and Emacs, and demonstrate how to enhance development workflows on NCAR’s HPC systems. 

Title: Generative AI: Laws, Ethics, and Best Practices

Speaker: Dr. Nikolaus Klassen (Google)

In this talk, Dr. Nikolaus Klassen will provide an overview of the evolving landscape of AI regulations, ethical guidelines and general best practices. Centered on three critical areas—legal compliance, ethical standards, and research integrity—this presentation will explore the complexities of using generative AI responsibly in research and professional contexts. Dr. Klassen will discuss emerging legislative frameworks focusing on transparency and accountability for high-risk AI models. Additionally, the talk will highlight best practices in mitigating biases, upholding the scientific method when using AI, and avoiding  biases like the "law of the instrument" pitfall. Attendees will gain insights into how to navigate the ethical and legal landscape of AI, fostering innovation that aligns with societal values and high-quality research standards.

Title: Debugging Scientific Code with LLMs: Using GitHub CoPilot for Debugging

Speaker: Supreeth Suresh (NSF NCAR)

Title: Towards Environmental Responsible GenAI: Carbon, Water and Beyond

Speaker: Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science, Organization University of California, Riverside

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) models, while offering solutions to pressing issues like climate change, consume significant energy during training and deployment. This talk will quantify the energy consumption of popular GenAI models, comparing it to other sectors. It will then assess the environmental impact, converting energy consumption into carbon emissions and water usage, and highlight the burden on local communities. The talk will delve into the details of environmental footprint modeling, discussing key factors influencing this conversion. Finally, it will propose sustainable strategies, such as intelligent scheduling, to reduce the environmental footprint of GenAI while ensuring a socially equitable approach. By understanding the energy and environmental implications of GenAI, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future.