Adnan Mehonic, a professor at the University College London (UCL), has become the editor-in-chief of the new open-source scientific journal APL Machine Learning, founded by the American Institute of Physics (AIP).
Mehonic is a young Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) scientist who was on the prestigious MIT Technology Review list last year, placing him on the “35 innovators under 35 years” list. Heis a lecturer (assistant professor) in nanoelectronics and is engaged in the development of artificial intelligence systems in the field of nanotechnology.
In the interview, Mehonic points out that the American Institute of History, which is the publisher of the APL Machine Learning magazine, was founded during the Great Depression to encourage investment in science, and believes that we need a similar approach in BiH today.
”I am happy to have the opportunity to be the first editor-in-chief of a new scientific journal with a mission to promote research in the field of artificial intelligence applications to discover new physics and new technologies. Artificial intelligence techniques are applicable today in many fields and research itself has surpassed the field of computer science,” Mehonic explains.
He says that his work on the development of a new scientific journal is a nice recognition that gives him motivation for further work. He points out that he is inspired by the idea that future artificial intelligence systems can lead to solutions to some of the greatest scientific problems of the human race, as well as new discoveries.
”I graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Sarajevo before continuing my education in the United Kingdom (UK). As for the educational process itself, the primary difference is the greater focus on scientific work and student self-initiative,” says Mehonic about the difference between studying in BiH and the UK.
He mentioned the lack of financial investment in science as a problem in BiH but also emphasizes the need for a coordinated strategy for the allocation of funds that would lead to faster and more significant progress with a focus on the most promising scientific activities.
”I am optimistic that, despite the objectively complicated situation in BiH, there will be the development of science and the academic community. There are many examples of excellent projects of domestic academics and significant international scientific collaborations on which the global development of science is based. Our scientific diaspora can serve as a bridge to such collaborations, a great opportunity to accelerate the development of our scientific community,” he adds.
One of the ways to achieve cooperation is through the activities of the Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (ANNT) in BiH, which brings together scientists with similar ideas as Mehonic, and who operate in BiH through the organization of student camps, mentoring programs, visits to world scientific centers for students from BiH.
Adnan Mehonic is the author of more than 100 scientific articles. He is also the inventor of 12 patents related to memory technology, and the founder of a company that designs chips for artificial intelligence. He completed his bachelor’s degree at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Sarajevo, where he received the highest award of the University “Golden Badge” for his outstanding grade point average (GPA). He holds a master’s degree from UCL, where he also received his doctorate, Klix.ba writes.
E.Dz.
