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  • 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.

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

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

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

    CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)

  • May
    29

    Bagel Thursday

    Department of Computer Science (CS)

    9:00 AM 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

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

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

    CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)

  • May
    29

    Computer Science End of Year Awards

    Department of Computer Science (CS)

    2:30 PM Cohen Commons, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

    LOCATION Cohen Commons, Technological Institute    map it

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

    CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)

  • Jun
    4

    CS Seminar: Reusing Deep Learning Models: Challenges and Directions in Software Engineering: An Update (George K. Thiruvathukal)

    Department of Computer Science (CS)

    12:00 PM

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

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

    CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)

  • Jun
    5

    Final Project Demos- Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing Class

    Department of Computer Science (CS)

    9:30 AM

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

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

    CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)

  • Jun
    15

    2024-2025 Commencement Ceremony

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILSmore info

    TIME Sunday, June 15, 2025

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

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Jun
    16

    Northwestern Engineering PhD Hooding and Master's Degree Recognition Ceremony

    McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

    9:00 AM 2705 Ashland Ave

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Monday, June 16, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    LOCATION 2705 Ashland Ave   

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    CONTACT Northwestern Engineering Events    northwestern-engineering-events@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  • Jun
    16

    Northwestern Engineering Undergraduate Convocation

    McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

    2:00 PM 2705 Ashland Ave

    EVENT DETAILSmore info

    TIME Monday, June 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

    LOCATION 2705 Ashland Ave   

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    CONTACT Northwestern Engineering Events    northwestern-engineering-events@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science