Ashlesha Akella, Computational Intelligence and Brain Computer Interface Lab
Ashlesha Akella card. Supervisor: Professor CT Lin, Thesis topic: Time intelligence in reinforcement learning agents

Image: Ashlesha Akella writing a research paper for journal submission.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your research?

  • The opportunity to create something new and useful
  • Progress and working with extraordinary people.
  • Interdisciplinary thinking.

What are the real-world applications of your research?

Time-critic reinforcement learning focuses on learning temporal synchrony of actions within a single agent or between multiple agents. This algorithm can be useful in real-world applications such as Resource Management, robotics, navigation and games where precise timing of the action is needed.

What ideas do you (or your team) have for future research?

In future we are excited to see the working of reinforcement learning in the field of robotics.

Are you involved in collaborative research?

I have worked on one project in collaboration with CAI robotics lab (Innovation and Enterprise Research Lab). This involved understanding the brain dynamics of a human while working with a robot. This will allow us to build algorithms, aiming for smooth and comfortable human and robot interactions.

What inspired you to undertake a PhD in computer science?

Artificial intelligence is a fascinating field which involves multi-disciplinary learning, starting from computer science, neuroscience and behavioural science. I want to be part of the community which lays the building blocks for general artificial intelligence.

 

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.