Successful “Pintxos of Science”


Some days ago we hosted the event PINTXOS OF SCIENCE at the Basque Club ‘Gure Txoko’ in Darlinghurst. Professor Massimo Piccardi (Professor of Machine Learning, Computer vision and natural language processing at UTS) & Professor Blanca Gallego (Center for Big Data Research IN Health at UNSW and SRAP member) expounded on the challenges of Artificial Intelligence in medicine and other areas in the near future. They gave a brief presentation about what 2040 could look like and the ethical implications of some of the technology that it is currently being developed. After the talks and the interesting discussion the participants enjoyed some pintxos!

It was a sold-out event with close to 60 people took place in partnership with Gure Txoko at the Pintxo of Science, this past Friday 16thof August.

Our two panellists were:

  • Massimo Piccardi, who is a Professor of machine learning, computer vision and natural language processing at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and,
  • Blanca Gallego Luxan, a SRAP member and an Associate Professor at the Centre for Big Data Research in Health, UNSW, leading a research unit in Clinical analytics and machine learning.

Both presentations induced a hot and interesting debate with the audience, who was fully engaged with the topic. Machines that can build buildings, machines that take medical decisions better than any other human… This is just the beginning of a technological revolution that is transforming every single aspect of our lives.

It was very constructive to discuss opposite opinions in the debate. Some people in the audience recommended to embrace this change, and take benefit from the advantages and the potential of this new technology. However, others raised significant concerns about privacy loss and the misuse of their personal data.

This exciting debate took place in the unique environment that only Gure Txoko can provide, while savouring the most representative flavours from the Basque gastronomy – pintxos.

Everyone also had an opportunity for networking. The relaxed atmosphere facilitated to get to know each other; the SRAP and Gure Txoko members; and our special invitees and friends from La Cámara, Instituto Cervantes, the Spanish Language and Culture Program in Australia (ALCE), the Spanish Consulate in Sydney, and the Spanish Embassy in Canberra.

Article written by Ana Rubio-Zuazo and Joaquín Valderrama.


Ana Rubio Zuazo

About Ana Rubio Zuazo

I have 15 years of operational and management experience in Coastal NRM with an emphasis on marine aquaculture. My research revolves around marine ecology and aquaculture, in particular in relation to the cultivation of oysters. Most of my research focuses on the Sydney Rock Oyster and the Pacific Oysters. A number of projects that I am currently involved in are included in this industry website: http://www.southcoastoysterindustry.com.au/ • Coastal Natural Resource Management projects • Monitoring and response to Harmful Algal Blooms • Designing, conducting, statistical analysis and reporting of ecological and water quality data • Design, development and implementation of environmental and aquaculture-based research projects: design of state-wide oyster monitoring programs, disease investigations; production • Aquaculture advisor • Twenty years of experience in project management of aquatic monitoring programs • Calibration, set-up and deployment of water quality instrumentation • Extensive experience in field work (remote sites, off-boat sampling, benthic sampling, water quality monitoring, SCUBA assessments) • GIS, Modelling, reporting, web-portal design, education packages