Josef Urban

Josef Urban is a leading researcher at the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC), Czech Technical University in Prague, heading the ERC Consolidator project AI4REASON. Previously, he held positions as a postdoc at Radboud University Nijmegen and assistant professor at Charles University in Prague, where he co-founded the Prague Automated Reasoning Group.

Education

• Ph.D. in Computer Science (2004), Charles University, Prague
• M.S. in Mathematics (1998), Charles University, Prague
• B.S. in Economics (1995), Charles University, Prague

Research Interests

Urban specializes in automated reasoning over large formalized knowledge bases, combining deductive theorem proving and inductive machine learning. His work aims to realize "strong AI" through formalized mathematics, particularly using systems like Mizar and the AI/TP Challenges. He advocates for computer-verifiable mathematics as a foundation for AI progress.

Article Trends

Urban's publications focus on integrating machine learning with automated theorem proving in systems like ENIGMA and BliStr. Key trends include semantic guidance for ATPs, premise selection in formal libraries, and automated proof compression via concept invention.

Scientific Contributions

• Head of ERC Consolidator project AI4REASON
• Marie-Curie Fellow at University of Miami
• Co-founder of Prague Automated Reasoning Group
• Editor for Formalized Mathematics

Advising and Grants

Urban has advised numerous PhD and MSc students including Daniel Kuehlwein, Krystof Hoder, and Yutaka Nagashima. He has secured grants like the ERC Consolidator Grant and Marie-Curie Fellowship.

Labs and Collaborations

Urban leads the AI4REASON team at CIIRC and collaborates with the Foundations Group at Radboud University. He contributes to projects like Mizar TWiki and XML-based API for Mizar, aiming to create a semantic AI ecosystem for formal knowledge.