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About

Eva Portelance is a leading researcher at the intersection of artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and computational linguistics. Her work explores how intelligent systems—both human and machine—acquire and process language, with a particular focus on the computational principles underlying learning and communication. She is best known for her contributions to the study of foundation models, most notably as a co-author of the landmark paper "On the Opportunities and Risks of Foundation Models" (2021), which has garnered over 2,100 citations. This influential report, produced by a large interdisciplinary team, systematically examined the paradigm shift toward large-scale, adaptable AI models like BERT and GPT-3, highlighting both their transformative potential and the critical risks they pose. Beyond this, Portelance has made significant strides in cognitive modeling, using Bayesian and neural network approaches to understand how children learn language and how artificial agents can develop human-like linguistic abilities. Her work bridges deep learning with insights from developmental psychology, offering a rigorous framework for evaluating model behavior. A dedicated educator and researcher, she continues to shape conversations on responsible AI and the cognitive foundations of language, making her a vital voice in both AI and cognitive science communities.