Why math?

Talking about math in an AI club is not only relevant but also essential. Mathematics serves as the fundamental language of artificial intelligence. Many AI algorithms, models, and techniques are rooted in mathematical principles. Understanding math is crucial for comprehending how AI works.

Developing AI algorithms often involves complex mathematical operations and concepts. Discussions on linear algebra, calculus, probability theory, and statistics are common when designing, implementing, and optimizing AI algorithms.

Training a machine learning model is a mathematical process. Topics like optimization algorithms (e.g., gradient descent), loss functions, and regularization techniques require mathematical understanding to train models effectively.

Math as a language

Mathematics is often referred to as a language because, like natural languages such as English, it allows us to convey complex ideas and concepts. It is precise, universal, logical, structured, and best of all understood by machines. You may already speak a foreign language, but can you communicate in math and program a self-driving car to take you home without a scratch?

In the context of building AI, mathematics plays a crucial role because it provides the tools and language to describe algorithms, model data, and analyze the behavior of AI systems. While it's a challenging task to program a self-driving car to take you safely anywhere, mathematics, along with computer science and engineering, is instrumental in making this ambitious goal a reality. So, do you speak math?

Team-based learning

In school, a math test is a solo effort, which emphasises individual performance, where students work independently to solve problems. Math tests are known to lead to stress and anxiety for some students.

In our club, our team-based math learning encourages collaboration and peer-to-peer teaching. Students can discuss and solve math problems together. When one team member understands a topic, they can help explain it to others, reinforcing their own knowledge in the process.

In a team of individuals with different levels of mathematical proficiency and ways of thinking, the diversity can lead to a rich exchange of ideas. Students can learn from one another's unique perspectives and insights.

Challenging math problems push you to think critically and deeply about mathematical concepts. They stimulate your intellectual growth by requiring you to apply your problem-solving skills in novel and complex ways.