On December 23, 2024, the seminar room A3 at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology held a special event featuring Dr. Vũ Hữu Tiệp, an esteemed researcher and expert in Machine Learning and Computer Vision. Dr. Tiệp, who currently works on developing autonomous vehicles using Deep Learning at a Silicon Valley startup, captivated the audience with his profound insights and personal journey. Dr. Tiệp shared his inspiring story of transitioning from a background in Electronics and Telecommunications to earning a PhD in Machine Learning and Computer Vision from Pennsylvania State University, USA.
One of the key takeaways from Dr. Tiệp’s seminar was his emphasis on the importance of mastering foundational AI knowledge. He elaborated on how understanding basic concepts in the field is just as important as amassing flashy credentials like publishing papers at conferences. He stressed that “a person with a long list of published papers, yet unable to implement basic algorithms like k-means or even differentiate between k-means and k-NN, is bound to fail an interview.” This strong statement resonated with the audience as a reminder to focus on building competence and practical understanding rather than relying solely on theoretical achievements.
Throughout his talk, Dr. Tiệp offered insights into the skill sets he believes are essential for success in the field of Artificial Intelligence. He encouraged students to devote time to understanding Linear Algebra, Statistics, and Python programming – fundamentals that serve as the backbone of Machine Learning. The seminar closed on a lively note, with an interactive Q&A session where Dr. Tiệp took questions from enthusiastic participants, fostering an environment of curiosity, discussion, and learning. His visit to HCMUT was both inspiring and educational, leaving a lasting impression on students and faculty alike.