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.
Be Part of the Event
Get the full Computing [MTU] Showcase schedule, learn more about the speakers and access other event information on the ICC website.
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 nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 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, 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.
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