Aberdeen Python User Group 12 July 2023

"PyTorch - Introduction to Deep Learning" - Steven Wallace

PyTorch is a popular deep learning framework from Meta AI used by industry and academic researchers worldwide. PyTorch - Introduction to Deep Learning is a presentation designed to introduce fundamental concepts of deep learning and their background to everyone. The presentation and coding challenges have been designed with as few mathematical calculations as possible to keep the area of interest on applying deep learning concepts whilst using Python programming. The Jupyter/Google Collab Notebook coding challenges provide an insight into how deep learning is used for image classification, a fundamental area in the development of computer vision.

Theoretical concepts of deep learning and how to optimise classification systems through PyTorch are covered in the presentation and then implemented in the coding challenge notebook. Training, validation, and test datasets are highlighted because of how important the evaluation of deep learning systems is through methods like hold one out cross-validation. Hold one out cross-validation is an evaluation method for deep learning systems ready for deployment to industrial applications or for the model evaluation results in research publications to be presented. The coding challenges are designed to complement the presentation and give everyone an insight into deep learning with PyTorch. The chances are deep learning model/s are present on your smartphone and in various other areas of everyday life right now. ChatGPT, robotic vision systems and other AI advancements would not be around today if not for deep learning.

Steven Wallace – is a MSc AI student at the University of Aberdeen who is completing his final dissertation project with deep learning for underwater image quality assessment (UIQA). In October 2023 he will start a PhD in computer vision with multimodal data at the University of Aberdeen. Previously he was from an electronic and electrical engineering background where he had industrial experience for 12 years.

The talk will be followed by a challenge which attendees can work on in small groups or solo.

If you don’t already have Python set up, we can help you with that too. Coding in pairs or small groups (especially mixing beginner and more experiences coders) is strongly encouraged, though you can also code solo.

This event is orgnanised by a charity - Code The City. CTC suggests a small donation to help with charity admin costs, but if this is a barrier please just change the ticket price to what you can afford.

We're now back to planning physical events backed up with an online option.

If you select a physical ticket and it happens that we can not meet physically you will have to attend the Zoom session. If you choose a physical ticket and it goes ahead you will have to comply with any conditions of attendance (eg masks or social distancing) that the venue operators demand at the time.

Those attending the physical space meetup should attend at 6pm for pizza and drinks. The coding session (for online attendees) will be from 6.30pm. Doors will be locked from 6.30pm.

**If tickets are sold out please do not attend as you will be refused entry without a ticket. **

Our booking system is provided by Tito. Their platform is integrated with payment processing by Stripe