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Events

  • Feb
    5

    CS Seminar: Beyond Scaling: Frontiers of Retrieval-Augmented Language Models (Akari Asai)

    Department of Computer Science (CS)

    12:00 PM 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)

    EVENT DETAILS

    Wednesday / CS Seminar
    February 5th / 12:00 PM
    Hybrid / Mudd 3514

    Speaker
    Akari Asai, University of Washington

    Talk Title
    Beyond Scaling: Frontiers of Retrieval-Augmented Language Models

    Abstract
    Large Language Models (LMs) have demonstrated remarkable capabilities by scaling up training data and model sizes. However, they continue to face critical challenges, including hallucinations and outdated knowledge, which particularly limit their reliability in expert domains such as scientific research and software development. In this talk, I will urge the necessity of moving beyond the traditional scaling of monolithic LMs and advocate for Augmented LMs—a new AI paradigm that designs, trains, and deploys LMs alongside complementary modules to address these limitations. Focusing on my research on Retrieval-Augmented LMs, one of the most impactful and widely adopted forms of Augmented LMs today, I will begin by presenting our systematic analyses of current LM shortcomings and demonstrate how Retrieval-Augmented LMs offer a more effective and efficient path forward. I will then discuss my work to establish new foundations for further reliability and efficiency by designing and training new LMs and retrieval systems to dynamically adapt to diverse inputs. Finally, I will demonstrate the real-world impact of such Retrieval-Augmented LMs through OpenScholar, our fully open Retrieval-Augmented LM designed to assist scientists in synthesizing scientific literature, now used by more than 25,000 researchers and practitioners worldwide. I will conclude by outlining my vision for the future of Augmented LMs, emphasizing advancements in their abilities to handle heterogeneous and diverse modalities, more efficient and effective integration with diverse components, and advancing evaluations with interdisciplinary collaboration.

    Biography
    Akari Asai is a Ph.D. candidate in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington. Her research addresses the limitations of large language models (LMs) by developing advanced systems, such as Retrieval-Augmented LMs, and applying them to real-world challenges, including scientific research and underrepresented languages. Her contributions have received widespread recognition, including multiple paper awards at top NLP and ML conferences, the EECS Rising Stars 2022, and MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35 Japan. She has also been honored with the IBM Global Fellowship and several industry grants. Akari actively engages with the research community as a co-organizer of a tutorial and workshops, including the first tutorial on Retrieval-Augmented LMs at ACL 2023, as well as NAACL 2022 Workshop on Multilingual Information Access and NAACL 2025 Workshop on Knowledge-Augmented NLP.

    Research/Interest Areas
    Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, Large Language Models
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    Zoom: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/92736097526?pwd=TEoEMxEcDOanxEAoaNdB4ZIxXGsgwV.1
    Panopto: https://northwestern.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=7a06abb9-4dd5-402e-a033-b274015b1e07
    Community Connections Topic: Lab counterculture

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    TIME Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

    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

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

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    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

    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

    TIME Friday, September 12, 2025

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    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

    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

    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

    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)