Computer science has emerged as a transformative force shaping virtually every aspect of modern society, profoundly impacting how we approach and tackle societal challenges.  As we navigate the intricate interaction between technology and society, computer science stands as a pivotal force in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future. Here are three current societal challenges where computational systems fit: Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection Modern networked systems use machine learning algorithms to detect anomalies, identify potential cyber threats, and respond to security incidents in real-time. Cryptography further ensures secure communication channels, protects sensitive data through encryption, and safeguards privacy in digital transactions.  Education Reform  Computational systems deliver personalized learning experiences tailored […]

Welcome to the first addition of CCC’s Weekly Computing News series. This week we are analyzing two recent reports which cover current trends in Artificial Intelligence research and public perceptions on how generative AI will impact the upcoming election.  AI and Elections The Elon University Poll, working with the Imagining the Digital Future Center, recently conducted a nationwide survey on Americans’ worries about potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The results reveal widespread concerns, with a striking 78% of adults fearing AI could be exploited to influence the election. People are particularly worried about AI manipulating social media, spreading fake content like videos and […]

The Computing Community Consortium (CCC) is pleased to share that former council member Maja Matarić received the 2024-2025 Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Athena Lecturer Award.  Matarić, who also serves as a Principal Scientist at Google DeepMind, is renowned for her trailblazing contributions to the field of socially assistive robotics. Her groundbreaking research, extensive evaluation, and successful technology transfer initiatives have significantly advanced the field. Additionally, she has laid foundational groundwork in multi-robot coordination and human-robot interaction.  Initiated in 2006, the award celebrates women researchers who have made fundamental contributions to computer science. Aside from innovative research, Matarić has been a strong mentor and advocate for underrepresented groups.  In fact, […]

A recent roadmap document organized by over 90 individuals, including CCC council members Holly Yanco and Ufuk Topcu, notes that the field of robotics, which was once pioneered in the United States, has seen a significant shift in global leadership over the past few decades. While the country initially excelled in industrial applications, such as automotive and aerospace, it has now fallen behind, ranking 10th worldwide in robotics adoption. Meanwhile, China has surged ahead, purchasing the majority of robots sold globally. This decline in US robotics dominance comes at a crucial point in the field’s development. Advances in component technologies like materials, embedded systems, and AI are driving exponential growth […]

Computing stands as the cornerstone of modern technological progress, holding immense promise to reshape society for the better. At its essence, it provides a robust framework for problem-solving, automation, and groundbreaking innovation, capable of tackling humanity’s most urgent issues. Whether it’s bolstering healthcare with predictive analytics and tailored treatment strategies or combatting environmental threats through data-driven sustainability initiatives, computing uses transformative power across a spectrum of societal challenges. CCC Council Chair Daniel Lopresti said computing research is important because there are risks that need to be considered. He points to innovations such as surveillance technologies which can be used to violate privacy.  In order to alleviate these risks, researchers need […]

The Computing Community Consortium (CCC) is proud to share that council member William “Bill” Gropp was invested as the Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on April 30th as a recognition of his exceptional contributions to research, teaching, and leadership within the computer science community.  Gropp serves as the director of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), where he has launched programs and resources for the community, such as Illinois Computes. This program offers computing and data storage resources, technical expertise and support services to researchers from all domains across the three universities of the University of Illinois System. His career at the university […]