Machine Learning, Statistical Physics, and Ecological Dynamics*

In this talk, I will start by giving an overview of Machine Learning from a physics perspective and highlight open problems where physicists can contribute. I will then discuss the many connections between the statistical physics of disordered systems and ML. Building on this discussion, I will argue that, somewhat suprisingly, ML is also intimately related to ecological dynamics. I will show how many ML methods and concepts have natural counterparts and ecology and argue that these fields can and should cross-fertalize each other.