In the rapidly evolving landscape of computing, grand challenges emerge as pivotal milestones that shape the trajectory of technological advancement and societal progress. These challenges show the most complex and pressing issues that the computing community faces, spanning diverse domains from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to quantum computing. What makes a grand challenge successful? Here are three examples throughout history. Human Genome Project (HGP) The Human Genome Project (HGP) was a landmark international endeavor that aimed to map, sequence, and understand the entirety of the human genome, our genetic blueprint. It spanned over a decade and involved thousands of scientists from across the globe. Its primary goals included mapping the […]
Computing Community Consortium Blog
The goal of the Computing Community Consortium (CCC) is to catalyze the computing research community to debate longer range, more audacious research challenges; to build consensus around research visions; to evolve the most promising visions toward clearly defined initiatives; and to work with the funding organizations to move challenges and visions toward funding initiatives. The purpose of this blog is to provide a more immediate, online mechanism for dissemination of visioning concepts and community discussion/debate about them.
3 Examples of Grand Challenges That Had Successful Outcomes
June 3rd, 2024 / in CCC / by Petruce Jean-CharlesCCC’s Weekly Computing News: Confidential Computing
May 31st, 2024 / in AI, CCC, Privacy / by Petruce Jean-CharlesThis week we discovered an interesting article from ACM Queue, a bimonthly magazine of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). This article, written by researchers Jinnan Guo, Peter Pietzuch, Andrew Paverd, and Kapil Vaswanin, explores how as the demand for trustworthy AI systems grows, the confluence of Federated Learning (FL) and Confidential Computing emerges as a promising solution. Trustworthy AI Using Confidential Federated Learning The article emphasizes the crucial need to ensure the trustworthiness of AI systems, particularly in safeguarding personal information. It highlights two key methodologies, Federated Learning (FL) and Confidential Computing, as effective approaches to achieving this goal. While FL addresses privacy concerns by enabling collaborative model training […]
3 Current Societal Challenges Where Computational Systems Fit
May 28th, 2024 / in CCC / by Petruce Jean-CharlesComputer 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 […]
CCC’s Weekly Computing News: Artificial Intelligence
May 24th, 2024 / in AI, CCC / by Petruce Jean-CharlesWelcome 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 […]
Former CCC Council Member Maja Matarić Receives ACM Athena Lecturer Award
May 23rd, 2024 / in Announcements, CCC / by Petruce Jean-CharlesThe 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, […]
5 Key Takeaways from the 2024 Robotics Roadmap
May 21st, 2024 / in CCC, robotics / by Petruce Jean-CharlesA 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 […]
