Knowledge Graphs and Semantic Computing Speaker Series: Axel-Cyrille Ngonga Ngomo

Axel-Cyrille Ngonga Ngomo is a professor at Paderborn University, where he heads the Data Science Group. He studied Computer Science in Leipzig. In his PhD thesis, he developed knowledge-poor methods for the extraction of taxonomies from large text corpora. After completing his PhD, he wrote a Habilitation on link discovery with a focus on machine learning and runtime optimization. In his current research, he focuses on data-driven methods to improve the lifecycle of knowledge graphs. These include techniques for the extraction of knowledge graphs, the verification of their veracity, their integration and fusion, their use in machine learning, and their exploitation in user-facing applications such as question-answering systems and chatbots. He is the grateful recipient of over 25 international research prizes, including a Next Einstein Fellowship, a Lamarr Fellowship, and 6 best research paper awards.

Abstract:
We consider the problem of learning class expressions (also known as concepts) using knowledge graphs with description logics semantics as background knowledge. Using this form of explainable machine learning on real data has long been considered impractical due to the significant runtimes it required. However, their increase usage in real applications and on the Web make them first-class citizens of modern information systems and hence requires time-efficient machine learning solutions. In the talk, we present some recent advances based on neuro-symbolic that expedite class expression learning by several orders of magnitude while maintaining varying degrees of explainability. 

We continue the CIRSS speaker series in Fall 2023 with a focus on “Knowledge Graphs and Semantic Computing”. We will meet on Fridays, 9-10am Central Time, on Zoom. To join a session, go to the current week’s session and click the “access” link, which will lead you to a calendar entry. There, click the “PARTICIPATE online” button to join a session. Recordings of past talks can be found next to "access" if available. The event is open to the public, and everyone is welcome to attend! This series is hosted by the Center for Informatics Research in Science and Scholarship (CIRSS). If you have any questions, please contact Jana Diesner and Halil Kilicoglu.

If you are interested in this speaker series, please subscribe to our speaker series calendar: Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar.