Edge Intelligence Unleashed: Mastering Embedded AI for Industry Advancement

1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of machine and deep learning and their applications in embedded systems.
2. Learn about the necessary components and frameworks for edge processing and how to optimize network architectures.
3. Understand the hardware and software required for embedded AI, and the different techniques available for optimizing embedded machine learning algorithms.
4. Develop practical skills using tools, such as Edge Impulse and TensorFlow Lite for implementing embedded AI.
5. Learn how to apply embedded AI to real-world business cases, and how to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
6. Understand the potential benefits and limitations of embedded AI, and how to evaluate the suitability of different techniques for specific use cases.

The target audience for this training is professionals and experts interested in applying machine learning and deep learning to embedded systems in their respective industries. This may include hardware and software engineers, data scientists, machine learning engineers, embedded system designers, functional analysts, R&D managers and researchers working in fields such as computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, and IoT. The training is designed for individuals who already have a basic understanding of machine learning and deep learning and are looking to expand their knowledge and skills in applying these techniques to embedded systems.

Basic notions of data structures and algorithms, signal processing, convolutional neural networks and languages C++, Python & Linux (command line instructions) are needed to follow the programme adequately.

16 September 2024

Session 1: Introduction

Lecturer: Prof. Mathias Verbeke

Setting the context for the rest of the summer school:

• Introduction to machine learning & deep learning
• Embedded machine learning
• Use cases and company pitches

Session 2: Workshop “Edge Impulse”

Lecturer: Dr. Jonas Lannoo

In this workshop, we use “Edge Impulse”, the online edge AI platform: a low-code environment to develop, train and deploy AI models on edge devices. It is widely applicable to quickly train a neural network and place the result on a microcontroller or any other edge device. With a simple but intuitive example, we discover the broad possibilities of this powerful software tool and create our first functional edge-deployed AI model.

17 September 2024

Session 3 and 4: TinyML (running ML models on microcontrollers)

Lecturers: Prof. Toon Goedemé & Prof. Peter Karsmakers

Theory: TinyML design flow for inference:

• Model compression: hardware-friendly model architectures, quantisation, pruning, knowledge distillation
• Model optimization for edge hardware
• Model deployment

Workshop: Compress and optimize a computer vision application for deployment on a microcontroller. Design validation using an ESP-EYE microcontroller.

18 September 2024

Session 5: Workshop FPGA

Lecturer: Wouter Hellemans

In this session, we will establish the landscape of ML on Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and investigate how CNNs can be accelerated on FPGAs for high-throughput applications. Specifically, we will explore a network security case by developing a CNN-based intrusion detection system. During the session, we will make use of the open-source libraries Brevitas and FINN to quantize our model and convert it to specialized hardware.

Session 6: Distributed AI

Lecturer: Prof. dr. Hans Hallez

Focus on distributed working with artificial intelligence:

• How can AI algorithms be scaled and distributed over a network of systems?
• Deep dive into concepts like Edge Computing, Big Data, Machine Learning

There will be ample time to wrap up the summer school with lessons learned and a closing drink.

This programme is organised by PUC - KU Leuven Continue.

Date and location

• KU Leuven - Brugge (Spoorwegstraat 12, 8200 Brugge)
• 16, 17 and 18 September 2024
• Day programme:
  • 8.30h - 9h: welcome coffee
  • 9-12.30h: morning session
  • 12.30-13h: lunch
  • 13h - 16.30h: afternoon session
  • 16.30 - 17.30h: closing reception (only on Wednesday)

Registration

Register online before 9/09/2024. Because of the hands-on character of the training, the number of participants is limited to 20.

The fee for the series is 1200 euro. For the second participant of the same organisation, a discount of 20% is applied.

After registration, you will automatically receive the invoice for your participation.

KMO
Save on your participation costs via the kmo-portfolio. 
Click here for more information. Our approval number is DV.O102270. When submitting your application, you choose the theme Innovation and the Artificial Intelligence advice.

With the support of VAIA - Vlaamse AI Academie.