Professor Hubert Shum

Associate Professor in Visual Computing and the Director of Research of the Department of Computer Science and Co-Director (Research) of SPARC

What do you do?

I am an Associate Professor in Visual Computing and the Director of Research for the Department of Computer Science at Durham University, specialising in Responsible AI and Spatio-Temporal Modelling.

I have led research projects as the Principal Investigator, with funding awarded by EPSRC, the Ministry of Defence, the Royal Society, and Innovate UK.

I am also the Co-Founder and Co-Director (Research) of Durham University Space Research Centre, where I connect my research in artificial intelligence to space-related applications.

How are you involved in this area of science? 

There is a tremendous opportunity to connect computer science state-of-the-art research with space-related applications. My research on responsible artificial intelligence, which focuses on aligning AI with human values, is crucial for ensuring that space-related decision-making is responsible and meets human expectations.

Specifically, I am interested in employing AI techniques for sensors to enhance space situational awareness, allowing humans to better monitor space objects. Additionally, I develop novel machine vision systems that understand complicated spatial-temporal data to inform space robotics, facilitating robots in their interactions with space equipment.

My research can also be extended to a wide range of space-related areas for responsible data analysis and decision-making.

What do you love about this topic?

Artificial intelligence and space are two buzzwords in today's news and research, significantly influencing the future of mankind and holding significant potential to improve our way of life.

Many young researchers and students are inspired to engage in these areas. As someone standing at the forefront of both artificial intelligence and space technologies, I am excited to see how my research is making a difference in the world. On one hand, I enjoy pushing the frontiers of knowledge in these areas and collaborating with industries to develop real-world solutions.

On the other hand, I'm committed to promoting knowledge and interests to the general public, helping more people enjoy and engage with the field.

How does this work deliver real-world impact?

Sustainability has become a key consideration for both space and Earth, and a significant part of the solution lies within artificial intelligence and space technologies.

In space, increasing amounts of debris and space junk threaten the future deployment of space equipment. There is an urgent need for technologies to accurately identify and recover this debris.

By combining multidisciplinary research in artificial intelligence, robotics, and space engineering, we can develop real-world solutions to this problem. On Earth, global warming poses a threat to life and the quality of life for humanity. Space sensing technologies, such as satellite imaging, represent the future of monitoring Earth's sustainability and informing decision-making.

Collaborating with the satellite and space engineering industries and adopting advanced data analysis and modelling techniques provide effective solutions for these pressing issues.