The conference program is available for download here: https://coinsconf.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Program2023-v3.pdf

Keynote Talk

Closing the Virtuous Cycle of Photonics for AI and AI for Photonics

Prof. David Z. Pan

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712

Abstract

Photonics is a promising emerging technology that offers huge performance and efficiency benefits for AI/ML computing. There has been increasing interest in developing photonic AI accelerators for the next generation datacenters, smart sensing, intelligent edge, and automotive computing. However, realizing its full potential requires overcoming significant design challenges through a cross-layer co-design approach, where devices, circuits, architectures, and algorithms are optimized together. In this talk, I will show how photonics and AI interplay with each other. On the front of Photonics for AI, I will show some case studies of customized photonic device, circuit, architecture and software co-design for efficient machine learning. On the front of AI for Photonics, I will show a novel machine learning framework for real-time photonic device simulations, which has the potential to speed up the customized photonic structure design through AI-enhanced optimizations. Closing the virtuous cycle of photonics for AI and AI for photonics shall hold great potential to significantly advance the state-of-the-art of each other.

Biography

David Z. Pan is Silicon Laboratories Endowed Chair Professor at the Chandra Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin.  His research interests include electronic design automation, synergistic AI and IC co-optimizations, design for manufacturing, hardware security, and design/CAD for analog/mixed-signal and emerging technologies. He has published over 450 refereed journal/conference papers and 8 US patents. He has served in many editorial boards and conference committees, including various leadership roles such as DAC 2023 TPC Co-Chair, ICCAD 2019 General Chair, and ISPD 2008 General Chair. He has received many awards, including 20 Best Paper Awards (from TCAD, DAC, ICCAD, DATE, ASP-DAC, ISPD, HOST, SRC, IBM, etc.), SRC Technical Excellence Award, DAC Top 10 Author Award in Fifth Decade, ASP-DAC Frequently Cited Author Award, NSF CAREER Award, IBM Faculty Award (4 times), and many international CAD contest awards. He has held various advisory, consulting, or visiting positions in academia and industry, including MIT and Google. He has graduated 50 PhD students and postdocs who have won many awards, including ACM Student Research Competition Grand Finals 1^st Place twice and Outstanding PhD Dissertation Awards from ACM/SIGDA and EDAA 5 times.  He is a Fellow of ACM, IEEE, and SPIE.

Keynote Talk

The New Internet based on IPv6 empowering 5G/6G, P2P IoT, Cloud Computing, Web3, AI and P2P Blockchain.

Prof. Latif Ladid

IPv6 Forum, Founder & President

University of Luxembourg

Abstract

The IPv6 Deployment worldwide is becoming a reality now with some countries achieving more than 60% user penetration with France (75%), Belgium (65%), USA (50%)  and India (68%) at the top ranking (http://6lab.cisco.com/stats/) and reaching double digits v6 coverage on Google IPv6 stats. May Autonomous Networks (ASN) reach more than 90% with v6 preferred or v6 capable: (http://labs.apnic.net/ipv6-measurement/Economies/US/). Over 2.5 Billion users are accessing Internet over IPv6 and probably not even knowing it. If this trend continues, we should achieve 90% by 2025 which would be the inflection point when the full roll-out of IPv6 becomes a strategic plumbing decision of the networks to move to IPv6-Only and start sunsetting IPv4 from the Internet. The US Government has already set some dates to move to IPv6-Only by 2025.

New topics are more on the lime light such as 5G/6G, Web3, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, AI, Blockchain. However, these fields are taking IP networking for granted designing them on IPv4/NAT building non-scalable and non-end to end solutions:

IPv6 based 5G/6G: By leveraging IPv6, these next-generation networks enable faster speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity to support the growing number of connected devices and emerging technologies.

Web3: Web3, also known as the decentralized web, is an evolving concept that aims to reshape the internet by incorporating decentralized technologies, such as blockchain and peer-to-peer networks. Unlike the traditional web (Web2), Web3 focuses on giving users more control over their data, eliminating intermediaries, and enabling direct peer-to-peer interactions. It empowers individuals and promotes a more open and transparent online ecosystem.

Cloud Computing: IPv6-based cloud computing offers a larger address space, enables direct communication between cloud resources, simplifies auto-configuration, enhances security, promotes interoperability, and provides future-proofing capabilities. By leveraging IPv6, organizations can build scalable and secure cloud infrastructures that meet the growing demands of modern applications and services in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Internet of Things (IoT): IPv6 is essential for the expansion of IoT by offering a larger address space, scalability, simplified configuration, enhanced security, improved QoS, and future-proofing. Its adoption and integration with IoT networks enable the seamless connection, communication, and management of a massive number of IoT devices, facilitating the growth and potential of the IoT ecosystem

Artificial Intelligence (AI): the direct relationship between AI and IPv6 is primarily related to networking and infrastructure considerations. AI itself focuses on the development of algorithms, models, and techniques to process data and perform intelligent tasks. However, the adoption of IPv6 can provide the necessary foundation and scalability to support the growth and integration of AI technologies within the broader digital ecosystem.

Blockchain: By incorporating IPv6 addresses into a blockchain network, several advantages can be achieved: Enhanced scalability: IPv6 provides a significantly larger address space compared to IPv4, allowing for a higher number of nodes in the network. This scalability can facilitate the growth and expansion of the blockchain network. Improved connectivity: IPv6 offers better connectivity options, especially for devices that are part of the Internet of Things (IoT). With the increasing number of IoT devices expected to connect to blockchain networks, IPv6 can ensure seamless communication and integration. Address exhaustion prevention: IPv4 addresses have been running out due to the explosive growth of the internet. IPv6, with its vast address space, helps mitigate the issue of address exhaustion, ensuring that the blockchain network can continue to operate without running out of unique IP addresses. Simplified network configuration: IPv6 simplifies network configuration processes by eliminating the need for techniques like Network Address Translation (NAT). This simplification can contribute to easier deployment and management of blockchain nodes.

The IPv6 Forum is driving new initiatives to garner support and create awareness in these areas: www.ipv6forum.org.

Biography

• Founder & President, IPv6 Forum www.ip6forum.org,
• Founding Co-chair, IEEE 5G World Forum
• Co-Chair, IEEE Blockchain Forum
• Former Chair, IEEE IoT World Forum
• Emeritus Trustee, Internet Society www.isoc.org.
• Board Member IPv6 Ready & Enabled Logos Program
• Member of 3GPP PCG (Board) (www.3gpp.org)
• Chair ETSI IPv6 Industry Specification Group
• Board Member World Summit Award www.wsis-award.org.
• Member of UN Strategy Council Member of Future Internet Forum EU Member States (representing Luxembourg).
• Former VP, Ericsson Telebit, Denmark/Sweden
• Former VP, Develcon, Canada
• IPv6 LifeTime Achievement Award, 2016.
• Research Fellow @ University of Luxembourg (since 2006) on multiple European Commission Next Generation Technologies Projects.

Panelist

Blockchain International Industry Panel

Giovanni Franzese

Giovanni, Executive Partner at nChain, brings over 25 years of experience in IT and corporate environments, with a strong focus on blockchain technology. He served as the former Global Head of Enterprise Blockchain Execution at Ericsson AB, successfully leading global and cross-functional teams.

During his tenure, Giovanni established the first and only global blockchain organization within Ericsson, where he was responsible for developing and implementing strategies for large-scale, complex projects. Under his leadership, the organization achieved notable successes in the deployment and implementation of enterprise blockchain solutions.

Notably, Giovanni led the development and launch of the first Telco Enterprise blockchain application, which garnered recognition when showcased at the Mobile World Congress in 2022. He has also played a pivotal role in the creation of several successful decentralized finance applications (dApps).

Giovanni’s expertise in blockchain technology has made him a sought-after board member, serving in advisory capacities for multiple blockchain companies. Furthermore, he contributes his knowledge and insights as a Business Mentor for the Blockchain course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Additionally, he is a respected speaker, lecturer, and blockchain expert associated with top leading consulting companies.

Overall, Giovanni’s extensive experience, leadership abilities, and contributions to the blockchain field make him a valuable asset in driving innovation and success in his role at nChain.

Panelist

Blockchain International Industry Panel

ZeMing M. Gao

Juris Doctor, MS/2; Chief Advisor of Caapable.com, author of book “BIT & COIN-The Merge of Digitality and Physicality onto The Truth Layer of Digital Humanity

ZeMing M. Gao

Biography

ZeMing is a full-stack “Company-as-a-Product” (CaaP) expert encompassing ideation, formation, innovation, intellectual property (IP), economics, finance, business strategy, corporate structures and operations. His expertise defines CaaP as a holistic cross-function discipline in converging intersections of multiple disciplines.

A former IP attorney with Lee & Hayes (ranked No.1 globally in “patent quality” by Intangible Asset Management), ZeMing specialized on building global IP portfolios and commercialization of IP, and advised clients ranging from Microsoft Research to Alibaba Group. He later focused on startup solutions, business strategies, and served as board director and investor to a number of tech companies.

His technical expertise covers a broad range, from software to hardware, and from IT to fintech.  In recent years he has focused on blockchain/DLT, Web3, AI and the smart-business paradigm, bringing to the field a cross-disciplinary understanding that integrates technology, economics, law and business into a coherent vision.

Panelist

Blockchain International Industry Panel

Konstantinos Sgantzos

Konstantinos Sgantzos is a Theoretical Physicist and Biochemist, with an MSc in Computational Biology & Bioinformatics. He is working in Oil & Energy as an Environmental Physicist with focus on greenhouse gases and air pollution. His expertise is on Artificial Intelligence and Cellular Automata with the focus on how humans can build a computational entity that will reach the equivalence of a general form (AGI) on a secure environment like a Blockchain. He’s also academically affiliated as a Research Associate with Research Institute of Science and Engineering [RISE] at University of Sharjah, UAE.

Panelist

Women in Engineering (WIE) Panel (IEEE Diversity & Inclusion Program) &

BLOCKCHAIN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY PANEL

Dr. Michaella Pettit

Dr. Michaella Pettit is a Research Director at nChain, leading the strategy and delivery of one of the largest and most influential IP portfolios in blockchain technology. She is also responsible for the blockchain infrastructure and applications research programmes at nChain.

Dr Pettit holds an MSci degree in Mathematics and Physics, and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from King’s College London. She is an elected member of the Bitcoin SV Technical Standards Committee, promoting technical excellence and interoperability, and she has pioneered research in tokens on BSV and threshold signatures.

Dr Pettit is an ambassador for Women in Blockchain (WiBs) and is a mentor to other women through the mentorship programme in Women in Web3 Switzerland (WiW3CH).

Panelist

BLOCKCHAIN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY PANEL

Dr. Owen Vaughan

Dr. Owen Vaughan is the Chief Science Officer of nChain Licensing and is responsible for the overall strategy of the Research and Development department.

With a deep understanding of blockchain and years of experience in the field, Owen is skilled at bridging the gap between academia and industry by turning abstract ideas into concrete building blocks. He is tasked with maintaining the highest standards of academic quality whilst keeping the research practical and relevant. His own research interests lie in privacy-preserving computation, blockchain network topology, wallet design, and identity management.

Owen is a frequent keynote speaker and organising committee member at international conferences in blockchain and network security. He regularly publishes articles in IEEE and Springer as well as in thought leadership blogs.

Owen holds an MMath from the University of York and a PhD in String Theory from the University of Liverpool. He also worked as a postdoc in the Analysis and Differential Geometry Group at the University of Hamburg.

Panelist

Women in Engineering (WIE) Panel (IEEE Diversity & Inclusion Program)

Åsa Dahlborn

Åsa Dahlborn works as a Project Manager at the IOTA Foundation, supporting the implementation of the Trade and Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP) project. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Politics and Social Thought and her focus of interest lies in exploring how DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) can be used to promote sustainability, equality, and economic empowerment. Her background includes active work with the Social Impact and Sustainability Working Group of INATBA and contributions to key achievements of the working group such as the report “Blockchain for Social Impact.”