CSTA Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary
The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. CSTA was formed on November 3, 2004, by a group of dedicated CS teachers looking to support each other. And with the additional support of ACM, CSTA began. Today, the association has over 25,500 members, supports 92 chapters and 12 affinity groups, has over 730 volunteers and chapter leaders, and reaches 25,867 computer science teachers and allies in an effort to ensure that every student is prepared for a world powered by computing.
Register for Indigenous Peoples' Heritage Awareness Month Panel
In celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Heritage Awareness Month, ACM DEI Council member Timothy Pinkston has organized a panel, "Preserving Cultural Data and Language Sovereignty While Also Benefiting from Emerging Technologies in the AI Era: Challenges and Opportunities," featuring indigenous researchers from multiple countries. Moderated by Cynthia (Star Horse Woman) Lindquist, the panel includes Elmer J. Guy, Te Taka Keegan, Ian Her Many Horses, and Sean Chandler. The panel is scheduled to occur via Zoom on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 5 pm ET (10 pm UTC) .
Apply to the 2025 ACM ASEAN School on HPC and AI
The 2025 ACM ASEAN School on High-Performance Computing and Artificial Intelligence will take place 10 - 15 March, 2025 in Singapore, co-located with Supercomputing Asia 2025. The National Supercomputing Center Singapore (NSCC) will host the school. The school is designed for recent postdocs and PhD students in computer science and related fields and is open to outstanding MSc students. Deadline for applications is 15 November 2024, end-of-day AoE.
In Memoriam: E. Allen Emerson
ACM A.M. Turing Laureate and Professor of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin E. Allen Emerson passed away on October 15, 2024. He received the Turing Award together with Edmund Clarke and Joseph Sifakis for their role in developing model-checking into a highly effective verification technology that was widely adopted in the hardware and software industries. This method provides an algorithmic means of verifying whether or not an abstract model representing a system or design, satisfies a formal specification expressed in temporal logic. Emerson also received the ACM Paris Kanellakis Theory and Practice Award for his part in the invention of symbolic model checking.
Yolanda Gil and Juan Gilbert Appointed to US National Science Board
ACM Fellows Yolanda Gil and Juan Gilbert have been appointed by President Joe Biden as Members of the National Science Board. Gil is Principal Scientist and Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at the Information Sciences Institute of the University of Southern California. Gilbert is Recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and Andrew Banks Family Preeminence Endowed Professor, UF Distinguished Professor & Department Chair at the University of Florida.
Geoffrey Hinton Awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics
ACM A.M. Turing Award recipient Geoffrey Hinton has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics along with John J. Hopfield "for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks." Hopfield created an associative memory that can store and reconstruct images and other types of patterns in data. Hinton invented a method that can autonomously find properties in data, and so perform tasks such as identifying specific elements in pictures. Hinton received the 2018 A.M. Turing Award with Yoshua Bengio and Yann LeCun for conceptual and engineering breakthroughs that have made deep neural networks a critical component of computing.
USTPC Statement on CrowdStrike Incident
ACM's US Technology Policy Committee has released a “Statement on Mass Cybersecurity Incidents Likely to Recur.” On July 18, 2024, CrowdStrike, a US-based cybersecurity technology company, released a sensor configuration update which caused a global outage affecting an estimated 8.5 million computers. Several critical infrastructure sectors including airlines, 911 emergency systems, banks, government agencies, healthcare, and hospitals around the world were impacted. While CrowdStrike has provided some information as to how the accident happened, ACM USTPC urges that all the details be thoroughly and publicly investigated.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with ACM
In celebration of Iberoamerican Heritage Month 2024, also known as Hispanic Heritage Month, ACM hosted a panel focused on language inclusion in the computer science field. Organized by ACM DEI Council member, Cristiano Maciel, the discussion panel, “Language as Inclusion of Exclusion: Can Artificial Intelligence Make a Difference?” explored ways to reduce language barriers in computer science and how AI can address these disparities in underrepresented languages. Moderated by Indira Guzman, the panel featured Franci Suni, Vinicius Pereira, and Nayat Sanchez-Pi.
Accessibility in Computing: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities
The ever-changing landscape of technology, the computing industry, and resulting societal impacts carry great potential for persons with disabilities. On July 10, 2024, ACM DEI Council hosted the panel, "Accessibility in Computing: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities." Panelists explored a range of topics about the current trends in accessibility in computing and how the industry is incorporating inclusive designs to meet diverse needs. Panelists discussed the gaps in accessibility that technology companies and others should address creating a more inclusive digital space.
CACM Relaunched as Open Access, Web-First Publication
ACM has relaunched Communications of the ACM (CACM) as a web-first publication, accessible to all without charge—including the entire backlog of CACM articles. First published in 1958, CACM is one of the most respected information technology magazines. The web-first model will allow ACM to publish articles more rapidly than before so that readers can keep abreast of the lightning-fast changes in the computing field. At the same time, researchers will be able to reference and cite valuable information and research from CACM articles more quickly. This marks another important milestone in ACM's ongoing transition to a fully open access publisher.
Celebrating Technology Leaders - Generative AI in Enterprise Software
We are at the forefront of a technological revolution where generative AI is redefining the boundaries of what's possible within enterprise environments. What are the key challenges enterprises face when integrating generative AI into their existing software ecosystems? And how is generative AI changing the day-to-day work of developers and engineers? For the answers to these questions and more, you can now view "Generative AI in Enterprise Software" with host Bushra Anjum and a panel of experts representing diverse fields—Mamta Suri, Elaine Zhou, and Rebecca Sanchez—as they explore the current trends, challenges, and future prospects of integrating generative AI into enterprise software.
Mobilizing for Diversity in Award Recognition
Over the years, computing has progressed remarkably thanks to the contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds who have incorporated their unique experiences and perspectives into technological advancements. Yet despite these significant contributions, award recognition for individuals from diverse backgrounds remains underrepresented. In "Science Needs You: Mobilizing for Diversity in Award Recognition," co-authors Elizabeth Novoa-Monsalve, David Patterson, Stephanie Ludi, and Daniel E. Acuna offer insights on how to create a more inclusive and equitable system of award recognition within the scientific community.
2023 Computer Science Curriculum Guidelines Revision
ACM has joined with the IEEE Computer Society and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence to develop "Computer Science Curricula 2023” (CS2023). CS2023 provides a comprehensive guide outlining the knowledge and competencies students should attain for degrees in computer science and related disciplines at the undergraduate level. Establishing uniform curricular guidelines for computer science disciplines is essential to the ongoing vitality of the field and the future success of those who study it.
New Open Access Publishing Model for ICPS Coming in 2024
In a major step in its transition to fully Open Access (OA) publication of all content on the ACM Digital Library, ACM will transition the International Conference Proceedings Series (ICPS) to a fully OA publishing model from January 2024. In the new model, all ICPS papers will be made OA upon publication, and existing ICPS papers will be converted to OA. Some authors who are not at ACM Open institutions will be required to pay Article Processing Charges (APCs). The model will apply to all conferences for which the Call for Papers will be issued on or after January 1, 2024.
ACM Skills Bundle Add-On
ACM has created a new Skills Bundle add-on providing unlimited access to ACM's collection of thousands of online books, courses, and training videos from O'Reilly, Skillsoft Percipio, and Pluralsight. ACM’s collection includes more than 60,000 online books and video courses from O’Reilly, 9,700 online courses and 11,000 eBooks and audiobooks from Skillsoft, and 2,000 courses from Pluralsight.
The new Skills Bundle add-on is available to paid Professional Members only. Visit the ACM subscription page or contact Member Services to add the Skills Bundle to your membership.
Inaugural Issues of ACM/IMS Journal of Data Science
ACM and IMS (Institute of Mathematical Statistics) have announced the publication of the first issues of the ACM/IMS Journal of Data Science (JDS), a new peer-reviewed publication. The scope of the journal is multi-disciplinary and broad, spanning statistics, machine learning, computer systems, and the societal implications of data science. JDS accepts original papers as well as novel surveys that summarize and organize critical subject areas. The ACM/IMS Journal of Data Science is a Gold Open Access publication, permanently and freely available online for anyone, anywhere to read.
ACM Boasts Strong Impact Factors
ACM publications had an impressive showing in the newest Journal Citation Reports from Clarivate Analytics. ACM Computing Surveys continued its impressive ascent, receiving an impact factor of 23.8, up from 16.6 in 2023, and placing it first out of the 143 journals in the Computer Science, Theory & Methods category. Communications of the ACM boasted continued strong performance, with an impact factor of 11.1, placing it first in the Computer Science, Hardware & Architecture category for the second year in a row; third of 131 titles in the Computer Science, Software Engineering category; and sixth of 143 journals in the Computer Science, Theory & Methods category.
Ceasing Print Publication of ACM Journals and Transactions
ACM has made the decision to cease print publication for ACM’s journals and transactions as of January 2024. There were several motivations for this change: ACM wants to be as environmentally friendly as possible; print journals lack the new features and functionality of the electronic versions in the ACM Digital Library; and print subscriptions, which have been declining for years, have now reached a level where the time was right to sunset print. Please contact [email protected] should you have any questions.
TechBrief on Data Privacy Protection
ACM TechBriefs is a series of short technical bulletins by ACM’s Technology Policy Council that present scientifically-grounded perspectives on the impact of specific developments or applications of technology. Designed to complement ACM’s activities in the policy arena, the primary goal is to inform rather than advocate for specific policies. The new edition concerns the proliferation of data collection, advanced algorithms, and powerful computers which have made it easy to piece together information about individuals’ private lives from public information—even as controls over information privacy become increasingly ineffective.
HotTopic Panel on Autonomous Weapons
Once considered science fiction, autonomous weapons systems long ago left the drawing board for the battlefield. Employed in conflicts today, such systems remain controversial and are ungoverned by any broad binding international agreement. The ACM US Technology Policy Committee hosted the HotTopics webinar: "Death by Algorithm: The Use, Control, and Legality of Lethal and Other Autonomous Weapons Systems" with Larry Medsker (Moderator), Ronald C. Arkin, Gary Corn, Jack Shanahan, and Jody Westby discussing this timely and critical subject.
TPC Releases Principles for Generative AI Technologies
In response to major advances in generative AI technologies—as well as the significant questions these technologies pose in areas including intellectual property, the future of work, and even human safety—ACM's global Technology Policy Council (TPC) has issued "Principles for the Development, Deployment, and Use of Generative AI Technologies." Drawing on the deep technical expertise of computer scientists in the United States and Europe, the TPC statement outlines eight principles intended to foster fair, accurate, and beneficial decision-making concerning generative and all other AI technologies.
Meet Meenakshi D’ Souza
Meenakshi D’ Souza is a Professor at the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Bangalore, India. Her research interests include formal methods, software testing, model-based development, and automata theory, as well as design and architectures for embedded software. She was elected President of the ACM India Council for a term that runs from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026. In her interview, she discusses working towards gender diversity in computing, improving software estimation models, her goals as President of the ACM India Council, and more.
ACM Opens First 50 Years Backfile
ACM has opened the articles published during the first 50 years of its publishing program, from 1951 through the end of 2000, These articles are now open and freely available to view and download via the ACM Digital Library. ACM’s first 50 years backfile contains more than 117,500 articles on a wide range of computing topics. In addition to articles published between 1951 and 2000, ACM has also opened related and supplemental materials including data sets, software, slides, audio recordings, and videos.
Meet Yuki Koyama
Yuki Koyama is a Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan. His research interests include computer graphics and human-computer interaction. He is especially interested in supporting designers by using computational techniques such as mathematical optimization. In addition to his role at AIST, he also works at Graphinica, a Japanese animation studio. In his interview, he discusses his interest computer graphics and HCI, fostering advances with mathematical optimization, developing tools to support and enhance the creative process, and more.
Featured ACM ByteCast
ACM ByteCast is ACM's series of podcast interviews with researchers, practitioners, and innovators who are at the intersection of computing research and practice. In this episode of ACM ByteCast, Rashmi Mohan hosts Nashlie Sephus, Principal Tech Evangelist for Amazon AI focusing on fairness and identifying biases at AWS AI. Here, Sephus describes her early love for mathematics and music, shares a personal experience that deeply influenced her work in AI, discusses the importance of building diverse teams to practicing responsible AI and building sound products, and more.
How Tech Can Empower the LGBTQ+ Community
In celebration of Pride Month, ACM hosted a panel discussion centered around technological advances and its importance in connecting LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide. Queer users have utilized virtual reality and social media platforms to create a safe environment for community gathering and authentic self-expression. “Virtual Realities: How Tech Can Empower the LGBTQ+ Community,” featured panelists Andreea Danielescu, Sharone Horowit-Hendler, and Michael Ann Devito with Guo Freeman as the moderator. Panelists shared their research on how LGBTQ+ identities and technology intersect.
Diversity Data Collection at ACM
ACM is deeply committed to fostering a scientific community that both supports and benefits from the talents of community members from a wide range of backgrounds. To this end, ACM has adopted new demographic questions developed by ACM’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council to understand current levels of participation and to gauge our success at advancing DEI. It is mandated that they be used throughout ACM for all activities, and responses will be required from all ACM authors, reviewers, conference attendees, volunteers, and members. Please take the time to fill out your questionnaire today.
MICRO 2024, Nov. 2 - 6
The IEEE/ACM International Symposium on Microarchitecture is the premier forum for presenting, discussing, and debating innovative microarchitecture ideas and techniques for advanced computing and communication systems. This symposium brings together researchers in fields related to microarchitecture, compilers, chips, and systems for technical exchange on traditional microarchitecture topics and emerging research areas. This year's workshops include "High Performance Chiplet and Interconnect Architectures," "High Performance Chiplet and Interconnect Architectures," and more. Keynote speakers are Moinuddin Qureshi (Georgia Tech) and Gilles Pokam (Intel). The event will be held in Austin, Texas, USA.
CSCW 2024, Nov. 9 - 13
The ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing explores the technical, social, material, and theoretical challenges of designing technology to support collaborative work and life activities. In addition to presentations and demonstrations, workshops include "What is Safety? Building Bridges Across Approaches to Digital Risks and Harms," "From Stem to Stern: Contestable AI Along AI Value Chains," and more. Keynote speakers are Paola Ricaurte (Tecnológico de Monterrey) and Ethan Zuckerman (University of Massachusetts at Amherst). The event will be held in San José, Costa Rica.
ICAIF 2024, Nov. 14 - 18
The ACM International Conference on AI in Finance is a peer-reviewed scholarly conference that brings together researchers from academia, government and industry to share challenges, advances, and insights on the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning in finance. Workshops include "AI in Africa for Sustainable Economic Development" "Synthetic Data and GenAI in Finance," "Synthetic Data and GenAI in Finance," "Multimodal Financial Foundation Models," Women in AI and Finance" and more. The event will be held in Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Reevaluating Google’s Reinforcement Learning for IC Macro Placement
A 2021 paper in Nature by Mirhoseini, et al. about the use of reinforcement learning (RL) in the physical design of silicon chips stirred up controversy due to poorly documented claims. The paper, authored by Google researchers, withheld critical methodological steps and most inputs needed to reproduce its results. In the November Communications of the ACM, Igor L. Markov's meta-analysis shows how two separate evaluations filled in the gaps and that Google RL lags behind human chip designers, a well-known algorithm, and generally available commercial software, while also being slower.
Multiparty Computation: To Secure Privacy, Do the Math
MPC (multiparty computation) was introduced to the world in 1982—at about the same time the Commodore 64 was announced. Why are we still talking about MPC more than 40 years later? Well, it turns out MPC is based on some extremely complex math, which is like nectar to anyone in the field of cryptography. And, over the past decade, MPC has come to be exhumed from the archives and harnessed as one of the most powerful tools available for the protection of sensitive data. Here, in a discussion with Nigel Smart, Joshua W. Baron, Sanjay Saravanan, Jordan Brandt, and Atefeh Mashatan, we explore some of the implications of these advances.
Automatically Testing Database Systems
ACM Queue’s "Research for Practice" serves up expert-curated guides to the best of computing research, and relates these breakthroughs to the challenges that software engineers face every day. In this installment, "Automatically Testing Database Systems," Manuel Rigger (Assistant Professor in the School of Computing at the National University of Singapore) presents three papers. The first focuses on the problem of automatically synthesizing sophisticated test oracles that check whether the outputs of a database history are correct. The second co-designs input generation and test oracle in order to focus strictly on bugs in concurrency control. The last covers a diverse input space of SQL dialects while relying on the "built-in" test oracle of system crashes.
Send Email as Your "@acm.org" Address
ACM is excited to announce a new enhancement of to the widely used ACM email forwarding service. Through a partnership with MailRoute, SMTP Auth Relay is now available for member use. To start sending fully authenticated email as your @acm.org address, simply log in at https://myacm.acm.org and click the "SMTP Auth Relay" link.
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ACM Updates Code of Ethics
ACM recently updated its Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. The revised Code of Ethics addresses the significant advances in computing technology since the 1992 version, as well as the growing pervasiveness of computing in all aspects of society. To promote the Code throughout the computing community, ACM created a booklet, which includes the Code, case studies that illustrate how the Code can be applied to situations that arise in everyday practice and suggestions on how the Code can be used in educational settings and in companies and organizations. Download a PDF of the ACM Code booklet.