News and Events
Recent News & Accomplishments
2025
Recent innovations, such as Google's Project Astra, exemplify the potential of proactive agents embedded in augmented reality (AR) glasses to offer intelligent assistance that anticipates user needs and seamlessly integrates into everyday life. These agents promise remarkable convenience, from effortlessly navigating unfamiliar transit hubs to discreetly offering timely suggestions in crowded spaces. Yet, today’s agents remain constrained by a significant limitation: they predominantly rely on explicit verbal commands from users. This requirement can be awkward or disruptive in social... read more
Their breakthrough in network design could help make computer and AI chips more efficient.
A University of Maryland research team has earned the Best Paper Award at the 66th IEEE Symposium on Foundations of Computer Science (FOCS), one of the oldest and most prestigious conferences in computer science, for solving a mathematical problem that had remained open for 35 years. Led by Mohammad Hajiaghayi , the Jack and Rita G. Minker Professor of Computer Science, the team tackled the long-standing Steiner Forest problem , a cornerstone challenge in network design. The problem asks how to connect pairs of points in a network using the least possible total cost, essentially finding the... read more
New paper argues baked-in bias in current models calls for deeper solutions.
Since they became widely available three years ago, artificial intelligence chatbots have been embraced as research assistants, trip planners, writing helpers and more—but they’ve provided some face-palm moments as well. One company’s bot developed a noticeable anti-Muslim bent , while another’s took to praising Hitler . And then there was the ill-fated attempt to reduce bias that resulted in depictions of, among other historical impossibilities, a rainbow coalition of U.S. Founding Fathers. Although each problem was addressed, the trend has persisted, and there’s no reason to believe it will... read more
The four student-led startups focus on mindfulness, financial access, site monitoring and knowledge management.
The University of Maryland’s Department of Computer Science has selected four student teams— Capy’s Journey , Cube, SenseGuard and ThinkEx —for the 2025-2026 academic year of the Mokhtarzada Hatchery Program . Now in its fifth year, the program continues to support students in launching startups, providing annual funding of up to $10,000 per team. The Hatchery equips teams with resources to move projects from concept to implementation. Along with funding, students gain access to shared workspaces in the Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering . Each team is also paired with... read more
The Fall 2025 event brought nearly 2,000 students face-to-face with recruiters seeking talent in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and software engineering.
Students filled the Adele H. Stamp Student Union on September 22, eager to take their next step toward careers in the technology field. The University of Maryland Department of Computer Science’s Fall 2025 Career and Internship Fair attracted 1,994 students who met with 223 representatives from 58 employers. For many, the fair was an opportunity to move beyond online applications and make meaningful, in-person connections. “Beyond coursework, I look for students who show initiative outside of the classroom,” said Lam Bui (B.S. ’07, computer science), an alum now working as a software engineer... read more
He advanced scientific computing, led interdisciplinary programs and mentored generations of students at UMD.
University of Maryland Professor of Computer Science Howard Elman passed away on September 18, 2025. Elman joined UMD in 1985 and became a leading figure in scientific computing, developing numerical algorithms to solve large-scale mathematical models of real-world problems such as fluid dynamics and reactive flows. His work advanced methods used to study phenomena ranging from the behavior of sound waves to the strength and stability of buildings and how water or air flows. He also held a joint appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS), where... read more
He was recognized at KDD 2025 for his co-authored work, which used open-source data to predict global events.
University of Maryland Professor of Computer Science and Distinguished University Professor Aravind Srinivasan has been recognized with a Test of Time award at the 2025 ACM Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD) for a paper on forecasting civil unrest using open source data. Initially published in 2014, the paper—titled “Beating the News with EMBERS: Forecasting Civil Unrest using Open Source Indicators”—was coauthored by Srinivasan, his former Ph.D. student Khoa Trinh, now a researcher at Google, Naren Ramakrishnan and other collaborators. The project was part of a broader... read more
The program now ranks 16th nationwide, No. 9 among publics.
The University of Maryland’s undergraduate computer science program climbed three spots to 16th overall in the 2026 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges.” UMD ranks No. 9 overall among public institutions and in the Top 10 among publics for the specialties of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. “Our students are at the heart of this success. Their passion for learning, creativity in solving problems and commitment to making an impact are what drive our program forward. We are proud to provide them with an environment where they can thrive and launch meaningful... read more
University, State Officials Celebrate New Partnership During Quantum World Congress
The University of Maryland will soon be home to a major new Microsoft quantum research lab, further strengthening the university’s position as a global leader in quantum science, innovation and commercialization. Gov. Wes Moore announced the project on Wednesday while addressing hundreds gathered for the Quantum World Congress (QWC), a global event focused on the future of quantum science and innovation being held this week in Tysons, Va. The announcement results from a partnership between the state of Maryland, the University of Maryland Enterprise Corporation and Microsoft, one of the world... read more
The event introduced students to mentorship, funding opportunities and peer collaboration through the university's entrepreneurial incubator.
The University of Maryland’s Department of Computer Science held its annual Fall Mokhtarzada Hatchery Kick-Off Event on Monday, September 8, 2025, offering students an overview of the department’s incubator for student-led startups. Hosted at the Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering, the event featured presentations about the program with mentors and UMD alums Haroon (B.A. ’01, economics) Idris (B.S. ’10, computer science) and Zeki Mokhtarzada (B.S. ’01, computer science) and Manpreet Singh (B.S. ’03, finance), who discussed how the Hatchery can support students’... read more
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