Computing is now a global activity and industry, with new technologies being pioneered, produced, and differentiating in every corner of the world. But for decades much of the computing research conversation was dominated by the United States and Europe.

When Andrew A. Chien, William Eckhardt Distinguished Service Professor of Computer Science at UChicago, was named editor-in-chief of Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery (CACM), his first ambition was to expand the conversation to include the growing computing innovation, and vibrant communities across the globe. To support this vision, he launched a series of special sections that would each spotlight a specific region. This week saw the publication of the first of those special sections, covering the computing community, industry, academia, and government in China, and upcoming sections will feature Europe and South Asia.

In addition to introducing new research voices and technical discussion to the magazine, Chien hopes these sections will highlight how culture interacts with and shapes computing in different environments.

“It's widely recognized  that computing touches everybody around the world,” Chien said. “Furthermore, computing is intimate, social, and personal, so that means that culture affects its shape, behavior, guarantees, and manifestations. As a result, computing is rapidly differentiating and becoming distinctive in different parts of the world.”

That sentiment comes through in the China section, which showcases advanced technologies in the China region ranging from quantum communication, extreme cloud bursting, and leading commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles for delivery and urban infrastructures optimized to first-responders. Further articles touch on Chinese gaming culture, computing “rock stars”, and grand ambitions to lead artificial intelligence (AI) for the world, showing how technology can be shaped when filtered through the particulars of Chinese industry and culture. For example, an article on fintech and the use of AI in financial services by Alan Xi of Ant Financial and Jing Xiao of Pingan Technologies describes data-driven loan and payment services that would likely encounter privacy barriers in other countries.

“They're using fintech in ways that reflect the willingness to have continuous sensing and access to information  that we would never allow in the United States,” Chien said. “The notion here is that tech gets shaped and is deeply affected by  societal assumptions such as personal privacy, or perhaps the lack of same.”

Prof. Chien launches New CACM International Series with China Region Issue

The international network of UChicago centers lended critical support in bringing the special sections together. Kick-off meetings gathering leaders and experts for the China and Europe issues were hosted and supported by the UChicago Centers in Beijing and Paris, and by Lihan Chen, who serves as Deputy to the EiC for CACM. More broadly, the intersectional approach of the initiative reflects similar philosophies at UChicago CS, Chien said.

“This manifestly broad-minded view of what computing is, both from a technical point of view, and beyond that, into how culture shapes technology, and vice versa, that's very much in the wheelhouse of how UChicago can lead in computer science!”

Related News

More UChicago CS stories from this research area.

Argonne scientists use AI to identify new materials for carbon capture

Feb 19, 2024

New research unites quantum engineering and artificial intelligence

Jan 29, 2024
Video

“Machine Learning Foundations Accelerate Innovation and Promote Trustworthiness” by Rebecca Willett

Jan 26, 2024
Video

Nightshade: Data Poisoning to Fight Generative AI with Ben Zhao

Jan 23, 2024

Group From UChicago CS To Present Four Papers at Most Prestigious International Quantum Conference

Jan 09, 2024

Research Suggests That Privacy and Security Protection Fell To The Wayside During Remote Learning

A qualitative research study conducted by faculty and students at the University of Chicago and University of Maryland revealed key...
Oct 18, 2023

UChicago Researchers Win Internet Defense Prize and Distinguished Paper Awards at USENIX Security

Sep 05, 2023

In The News: U.N. Officials Urge Regulation of Artificial Intelligence

"Security Council members said they feared that a new technology might prove a major threat to world peace."
Jul 27, 2023

UChicago Scientists Make New Discovery Proving Entanglement Is Responsible for Computational Hardness In Quantum Systems

Jul 25, 2023

UChicago Computer Scientists Bring in Generative Neural Networks to Stop Real-Time Video From Lagging

Jun 29, 2023

Chicago Public Schools Student Chris Deng Pursues Internet Equity with University of Chicago Faculty

May 16, 2023

Computer Science Displays Catch Attention at MSI’s Annual Robot Block Party

Apr 07, 2023
arrow-down-largearrow-left-largearrow-right-large-greyarrow-right-large-yellowarrow-right-largearrow-right-smallbutton-arrowclosedocumentfacebookfacet-arrow-down-whitefacet-arrow-downPage 1CheckedCheckedicon-apple-t5backgroundLayer 1icon-google-t5icon-office365-t5icon-outlook-t5backgroundLayer 1icon-outlookcom-t5backgroundLayer 1icon-yahoo-t5backgroundLayer 1internal-yellowinternalintranetlinkedinlinkoutpauseplaypresentationsearch-bluesearchshareslider-arrow-nextslider-arrow-prevtwittervideoyoutube