Quick Takes

On March 4, 2025, Martín Farach-Colton, Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at NYU Tandon, visited NYU Shanghai and CSDSE, delivering an insightful talk titled “How Big is a Pointer?” In his talk, he presented how compressed pointers, whether in data structures or hardware, can unlock new efficiencies in both algorithmic theory and system design. This visit provided a valuable opportunity for academic exchange, fostering deeper connections between NYU Tandon and NYU Shanghai.

On December 22, 2024, the NYU Shanghai Robotics Club's team won the Promising Award at the VEX Elite Invitational Competition. As the first major event of the season, the competition featured 29 teams from 17 leading universities, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Tongji University, and Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen). The two NYU Shanghai teams, led by Evan Xiao, the President of the Robotics Club, demonstrated their creativity and technical skills. This recognition highlights the dedication and teamwork of the club members as they continue to grow and excel in robotics.

On December 2, 2024, Dr. Camille Kamga, Director of the University Transportation Research Center, provided an insightful overview of V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technologies in the U.S., including V2V, V2I, etc, emphasizing their potential to improve safety, reduce congestion, and protect pedestrians. He also discussed autonomous vehicles, highlighting their complementary role to V2X in achieving safer and more efficient mobility through onboard sensors and AI.

On November 24, 2024, the Mathematics of Machine Learning workshop at NYU Shanghai featured nine talks on topics such as the theory of deep learning, reinforcement learning, optimization, and statistics. Distinguished speakers from Fudan University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, East China Normal University, CUHK-Shenzhen, and Duke Kunshan University shared their expertise, offering valuable insights into this rapidly evolving field. The workshop brought together over 50 participants, including Ph.D. students, research associates, and undergraduates, fostering vibrant discussions on recent advancements in machine learning theory, algorithms, and applications. The event was supported by the Shanghai Frontier Science Center of AI and Deep Learning.

On November 24, 2024, the Digital Innovation Challenge Kick-off Day welcomed over 150 students from NYU Shanghai and beyond to explore AI-driven solutions for personalized education. Representatives from SenseTime, Duolingo, and Shinytest provided valuable insights and introduced real-world challenges for participants to address. The event offered students the opportunity to gain industry knowledge, connect with peers and experts, and lay the groundwork for an exciting competition in 2024.

On November 15, 2024, 37 students from various majors participated in a field trip to the Lenovo Future Center, where they explored emerging technologies such as unpiloted vehicles, robotic systems, and intelligent operations. Guided by experts, the students examined the underlying chips and circuits powering these innovations. The visit provided a hands-on perspective on how advanced technologies are shaping industries and everyday life.

On November 10, 2024, the top NYU team, consisting of three juniors from NYU Shanghai, won the silver medal at the 2024-25 ICPC Greater New York Regional Contest. Team members Zhiqian Chen, Kaiyue Guo, and Puming Liu solved an impressive 11 out of 13 challenging problems, securing their spot in the North American Championship (NAC) next year. Congratulations to the team and the ACM Student Chapter for their exceptional achievement!

On Novemer 4, 2024, CSDSE hosted a Major Exploration Session, attracting over 130 first-year students eager to learn more about the field and its academic opportunities. The event featured a lively student panel, with leaders from four student clubs and two active undergraduate researchers sharing their experiences and insights. Seven faculty members also joined, offering expert guidance and advice for those considering a future in computer science, data science, and engineering. This engaging session allowed students to connect with peers and faculty, gain a deeper understanding of the major, and explore pathways for academic and research involvement.

On October 10, 2024, CSDSE and DIC co-hosted an academic talk on "Using Large Language Models to Solve Math Problems," led by Professor Tam. He explored recent advancements in enhancing large language models (LLMs) with mathematical reasoning. Professor Tam discussed techniques for guiding LLMs to generate source code as reasoning steps, which are then evaluated by external interpreters. He also shared insights on using Prolog, a logic programming language, to tackle complex mathematical challenges.