C+X is the formula for this year’s annual Computing [MTU] Showcase at Michigan Technological
University, which focuses on the convergence of computing, everywhere and with everything.
The integration of computing into industry, research and society will be explored
in the three-day showcase, happening from Wednesday to Friday, Oct. 2-4, on Michigan
Tech’s campus. Sponsored by Tech’s Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC) and the College of Computing, Showcase [C+X] features speakers, panels and exhibits from across the University
and the country.
College of Computing Dean Dennis Livesay noted that each year of the event has shed
light on different perspectives in the rapidly evolving field.
“The first showcase really focused on the past, present and future of computing at
MTU,” he said. “Last year’s focus was on artificial intelligence. And this year’s
event focuses on convergence, emphasized by the title C+X, which shows how we are
focusing on the integration of computing — C — with a wide variety of other domains
— X.”
ICC Director Tim Havens said computing is a vital tool for addressing the world’s
biggest problems, helping researchers take on challenges that require collaboration
across multiple disciplines, including science, engineering, social sciences and humanities.
“Often these challenges require processing and analysis of extremely large data sets,
development of complex technologies, and tightly knit teams of experts across diverse
fields,” he said. “Examples include climate change mitigation and adaptation, health
care innovation, ethical AI and fairness of algorithms, quantum computing and its
applications, data privacy and cybersecurity, sustainable and smart cities, autonomous
systems and robotics, and equitable and inclusive access to the digital world.”
Thursday afternoon’s speaker, Shankar Subramaniam, a distinguished professor of engineering
at the University of California San Diego, will offer a compelling example of why
computing research is essential to addressing some of the world’s most complicated
problems, Livesay said. “Shankar works with clinicians, engineers and computer scientists
to synthesize biological and medical information from genes and molecules into integrated
knowledge at cellular and system levels. This work, critical to modern understanding
of systems biology, is paving the way for a new set of therapeutic approaches in complex
diseases like cancer, obesity and neuropathologies.”
“For me, Shankar’s talk is definitely a don’t-miss,” said Livesay.
If you’re interested in learning about what students are doing in computing here at
Tech, please come check out the Student Poster Competition — it’s a super fun event
and the students are thrilled to talk about their work.
Havens also has a don’t-miss: the presentation on Thursday from Jim Keller, a distinguished
professor emeritus in electrical engineering and computer science from the University
of Missouri. Keller’s talk will highlight some of the history of AI and its connections
to current challenges, and Havens said the entire showcase offers fascinating insights
and networking opportunities, such as the popular “Women in Tech” panel on Wednesday
afternoon. The showcase’s opening speaker on Wednesday is Markus Buehler, a professor
of civil and environmental engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
and Michigan Tech students will present their research on Friday afternoon.
Center for AI Makes Formal Debut
Keller’s talk precedes the official rollout of Michigan Tech’s Center for Artificial Intelligence. Livesay and Havens view the new center as critical to every aspect of society, where
computing is rapidly converging with daily life.
Nowhere is the convergence of computing with other disciplines happening faster than
it is with AI. Making structures to promote AI is central to our missions.
Havens said the center represents the importance of AI as a subdiscipline of every
academic field. “AI is the most disruptive technology to human society to date,” Havens
said. “The Center for AI brings together researchers from diverse disciplines to form
a critical mass of expertise here at Michigan Tech.”
Livesay and Havens encourage campus and community members to check out the schedule of events and attend.
“The Computing [MTU] Showcase has something for everyone, whether you are a computing
expert working daily to advance the field or someone who wants to learn more about
the future of computing and its role in education and research at Michigan Tech,”
said Havens.
Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
