This paper overviews research being done at IIASA with use of machine learning (ML) methods. We elaborate on promising areas of application and advantages and challenges of using ML.
These reflections are done as a part of strategic planning process going on at IIASA at the moment, which aims to come up with a new research strategy for 2021-2030, as well as a supporting research plan. It has been recognized that while applications of ML in commercial sector are numerous and become more and more powerful day to day, it is not yet so common to use ML for creating societal impact.
To explore the opportunities in this context and to reflect on what IIASA’s role might be, an internal working group was initiated. This paper emerged from the internal workshop held by the working group at IIASA on June 24, 2019; the workshop invited all IIASA scientists to contribute. The workshop program can be found in Appendix A to this paper
