John Mark Bishop

Biography

Prof J. Mark Bishop is Professor of Cognitive Computing at Goldsmiths, University of London and Director of TCIDA (The Centre for Intelligent Data Analytics) where he leads a group that has successfully developed commercial state-of-art analytic systems for fraud detection and business-to-business e-procurement. The team are currently investigating the potential of state-of-art AI systems in HR analytics and for ‘Insider Threat’ detection, as well as undertaking foundational research into so-called ‘one-shot’ [deep] learning connectionist systems.

Over his career Mark’s research has spanned the theory and application of Artificial Intelligence and its underlying philosophy; in this context he is regularly invited to advise on policy at the UN (Geneva/Turin/Birmingham), the EC (Brussels) and the UK (Parliament/Whitehall). In addition, as an accomplished public speaker (see testimonials below), Mark has enjoyed presenting keynotes and plenary addresses at numerous international events and conferences.

In 2010 Mark was elected to Chair the AISB. The AISB (the UK Society for Artificial Intelligence & the Simulation of Behaviour) is the world’s oldest society for the study of AI and Mark served a four-year term as Chair [2010-2014] during which he was co-opted onto the Organising Committee of ICRAC (International Committee for Robot Arms Control). He currently serves as associate Editor of seven academic journals in the field of AI and Cognitive Science and as a Business Consultant on both AI & AI/Data ethics.

Mark enjoys a high media profile and is regularly asked for comment in both national and international media; most notably critiquing the doomsday predictions of Prof Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk et al. (concerning the threat posed by AI). In this context, an invited piece for the New Scientist magazine became the most downloaded article of the issue. In 2016 Mark was invited to discuss AI with Prof Murray Shanahan across an episode of Radio 4’s “Agree to Differ”.

Education

BSc Cybernetics & Computer Science. PhD Cybernetics

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

Artificial Intelligence, Neural Networks, Swarm Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cognitive Science, Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence, Public Speaking, Consultancy.

Personal Interests

Creative writing, Music, Dance, Theatre.

Books