SCOTLAND is set to play host to Europe’s leading conference on information retrieval for the first time since 2008 as hundreds of computer scientists make their way to Glasgow.
The 46th European Conference on Information Retrieval, organised by Glasgow University professors, will be kicking off at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on Sunday.
More than 400 researchers, in addition to representatives from international organisations including Google, Spotify and Amazon are expected to attend the conference running until March 28.
Information retrieval is the field of computer science and artificial intelligence that underpins a range of essential technologies such as search engines and digital libraries.
This year's programme includes events, workshops, and demonstrations aimed at promoting innovation and exploring the ethics of technological advancements in information retrieval.
Professors Iadh Ounis, Craig Macdonald and Graham McDonald from Glasgow University’s computer science department organised this year’s Glasgow-based event.
Dr Graham McDonald said: “I’m thrilled to be welcoming information retrieval researchers back to the city for the first time since 2008.
“Information retrieval has seen many significant advances since then as it works to stay ahead of the vast expansion in the amount of data created, stored, and shared every second of every day.”
The conference will also involve the presentation of the first Keith van Rijsbergen Award, a prize in honour of the University of Glasgow information retrieval researcher who founded the university’s first research group nearly 40 years ago.
Professor Iadh Ounis added: “I’m delighted that we are presenting the first Keith van Rijsbergen award this year. Keith helped build the foundations of information retrieval as we know it today and I’m proud that we are able to recognise his contributions."
The conference is being sponsored by tech organisations including Google and Bloomberg Engineering.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here