The Structure Function and Distinguishable Models of Data
J. Rissanen · The Computer Journal · 2006
This annual University of London lecture celebrates the life and work of Andrei Nikolaevich Kolmogorov, one of the greatest mathematical and scientific minds of the past century. The lecture addresses current issues arising from the impact of Kolmogorov's work in the fields of mathematical and computer science. Each Kolmogorov Lecture is given by one of the leading figures in their field, who is presented with a medal in recognition of their own contribution to science. The speaker at the Fourth Annual Kolmogorov Lecture, held on 3 February 2006, was Professor Jörma Rissanen. Jörma Rissanen worked with IBM Research in San Jose, California, from 1996 until his retirement in 2001. In 1992, he received an Honorary Doctorate from the Technical University of Tampere, Finland where he is Professor Emeritus. Professor Rissanen's two main achievements are the invention of Arithmetic Coding and the introduction of the Minimum Description Length principle with the associated idea of stochastic complexity