News & Events

Department Events & Announcements

Events

• Feb

  8

  CS Seminar: Controlling Large Language Models: Generating (Useful) Text from Models We Don't Fully Understand (Ari Holtzman)

  Department of Computer Science (CS)

  10:00 AM 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)

  EVENT DETAILS

  Wednesday / CS Seminar
  February 8th / 10:00 AM
  Hybrid / Mudd 3514

  Title: Controlling Large Language Models: Generating (Useful) Text from Models We Don’t Fully Understand
  Speaker: Ari Holtzman

  Abstract:
  Generative language models have recently exploded in popularity, with services such as ChatGPT deployed to millions of users. These neural models are fascinating, useful, and incredibly mysterious: rather than designing what we want them to do, we nudge them in the right direction and must discover what they are capable of. But how can we rely on such inscrutable systems?

  This talk will describe a number of key characteristics we want from generative models of text, such as coherence and correctness, and show how we can design algorithms to more reliably generate text with these properties. We will also highlight some of the challenges of using such models, including the need to discover and name new and often unexpected emergent behavior. Finally, we will discuss the implications this has for the grand challenge of understanding models at a level where we can safely control their behavior.

  Biography:
  Ari Holtzman is a PhD student at the University of Washington. His research has focused broadly on generative models of text: how we can use them and how can we understand them better. His research interests have spanned everything from dialogue, including winning the first Amazon Alexa Prize in 2017, to fundamental research on text generation, such as proposing Nucleus Sampling, a decoding algorithm used broadly in deployed systems such as the GPT-3 API and academic research. Ari completed an interdisciplinary degree at NYU combining Computer Science and the Philosophy of Language.

  more less

  TIME Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

  LOCATION 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)    map it

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Wynante R Charles    wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)

• Aug

  20

  Alumni Education Webinar: McCormick School of Engineering's Strategic Vision

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  12:00 PM

  EVENT DETAILS

  Join us to explore the McCormick School of Engineering’s strategic vision and its vital role in advancing Northwestern’s top priorities. From groundbreaking research to transformative education, Northwestern Engineering is shaping solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges and working to advance Northwestern. During this presentation, you will learn directly from Dean Christopher Schuh on how our alumni community can come together to amplify this impact—through engagement, mentorship, philanthropy, and industry connections. Learn how your involvement can help unlock bold ideas and ensure Northwestern remains a global leader in engineering and beyond.

  Event Contact Info

  NAA Alumni Education
  alumnieducation@northwestern.edu

  Register Now

  more less

  TIME Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Sep

  8

  Welcome & Breakfast for New McCormick PhD Students

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  9:00 AM LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free light breakfast on the Tech East Plaza will follow.

  more less

  TIME Monday, September 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

  LOCATION LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Sep

  12

  New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration

  University Academic Calendar

  All Day

  EVENT DETAILS

  New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration

  more less

  TIME Friday, September 12, 2025

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

• Sep

  15

  Welcome & Luncheon for New Full-time Graduate Students

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  11:00 AM Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free lunch on the Tech East Plaza will follow.

  more less

  TIME Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

  LOCATION Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Sep

  16

  Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins

  University Academic Calendar

  All Day

  EVENT DETAILS

  Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins

  more less

  TIME Tuesday, September 16, 2025

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

• Sep

  25

  Bagel Thursday

  Department of Computer Science (CS)

  9:00 AM

  EVENT DETAILS

  TBA

  more less

  TIME Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Wynante R Charles    wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)