Dear Bowers CIS students,

This week marks the third anniversary since I had the honor of joining President Pollack in announcing the creation of the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science. In addition to celebrating this anniversary, I am delighted to share a glimpse of what made 2023 a remarkable year of research, growth, and community for Bowers CIS along with this month’s recent news and highlights. 

Cornell Bowers CIS Distinguished Speaker: Tech and free speech

Dr. Mary Anne Franks, the Eugene L. and Barbara A. Bernard Professor in Intellectual Property, Technology and Civil Rights Law at George Washington Law School, presented her talk, “Selling Out Free Speech,” as part of Cornell’s Freedom of Expression theme year.

Weatherspoon appointed Bowers CIS Associate Dean for DEI

Hakim Weatherspoon, professor of computer science, will return to the role of Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the college. His term will run from January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026. Weatherspoon succeeds David Bindel, professor of computer science, who has served as associate dean since January 2021. 

Cornell joins new open-technology AI Alliance

Cornell is among more than 50 organizations in industry, government, and academia that have signed on as inaugural members of the AI Alliance, an international community of researchers, developers, and organizational leaders committed to supporting and enhancing open innovation across the artificial intelligence technology landscape.

Technology Repair Fair helps people doctor their devices, not dump them

Volunteers saved 10 desktop computers, seven laptops, 14 monitors, countless cords and chargers, and one electronic cat toy from becoming e-waste at the first Technology Repair Fair, held in the lobby of Gates Hall on Oct. 13. Dylan Van Bramer ’25, a computer science major, organized the fair with Steven Jackson, professor of information science and science and technology studies.

Yin named to Forbes 30 under 30 list

Yian Yin, assistant professor of information science, has been named to this year’s Forbes 30 under 30: Science list. Forbes recognized him for his work in developing mathematical and computational tools to demystify the complex dynamics that underpin scientific progress and technological advancement.

Gokaslan Receives PyTorch Award for Excellence in Code Review

Aaron Gokaslan, a Ph.D. student from Cornell Tech, has received the PyTorch Award for 2023. PyTorch’s codebase is a popular deep learning framework, and the PyTorch Award for Excellence in Code Review is a recognition of his dedication to maintaining the highest standards in AI technology.

Welcoming AI into the classroom

This semester, rather than banning the use of AI for his assignments, three of information science major Franklin Zheng ’25’s five professors actually required him to use it. It’s a trend happening in universities around the country, as AI becomes another research tool rather than something to be feared.

Tracy Mitrano

Matthew Wilkens

Student designers offer HCI solutions by the dozens

Some 50 projects from nearly 200 Cornell students filled Duffield Hall atrium for the Department of Information Science’s customary end-of-semester poster session. Each project leveraged human-computer interaction (HCI) concepts to build prototypes that solve common student problems.

Student creates alternative remedy to relieve period pain

Like many women, Armita Jamshidi ‘25 struggled to relieve excruciating period pain with typical aids like Advil or birth control. But not finding much relief there, Jamshidi, a computer science major, founded Aunt Flo's Kitchen.