data

By manipulating a microscopic property of light that can produce a swirling vortex of lasers at nano scales, researchers opened the door to an unlimited number of possibilities to decongest the internet. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

A twisting vortex of laser light might solve our internet congestion woes

By manipulating the properties of light waves to produce a swirling vortex of lasers at nano scales, a team of researchers opened the door to an unlimited number of possibilities to decongest the internet. “Imagine the amount of data that the internet has to handle,” says Josep Jornet, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. “We need to find ways to squeeze more data in the same infrastructure.”

by Roberto Molar Candanosa September 21, 2020

Artificial intelligence can reflect human bias, but it can also help undo it

The Information Ethics Roundtable will discuss solutions to a flawed system: the infusion of human bias into artificial intelligence. The three-day event kicks off Friday, April 5, at 909 Renaissance Park on Northeastern’s Boston campus.

by Aria Bracci April 3, 2019

Woodrow Hartzog, professor of law and computer science in the school of law. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Cute robots, smart underwear, and facial recognition in church: Have we gone too far?

Law and computer science professor Woodrow Hartzog appeared at Northeastern’s Charlotte campus on Thursday to discuss trends that he said pose concerns for privacy, and offered cautionary tales of technology gone wild.

by Khalida Sarwari March 28, 2019

The laws that govern privacy on the internet fall short of protecting users as much as they should, says Northeastern professor Woodrow Hartzog. Photo by iStock.

Data security professor says it’s time to improve internet privacy laws

Northeastern professor Woodrow Hartzog will testify Wednesday at the United States Senate hearing on data privacy, where he plans to argue that the current laws that govern privacy on the internet fall short of protecting users as much as they should.

by Khalida Sarwari February 26, 2019

When most of us hear “data,” we think of facts and figures confined to charts and reports. For Dietmar Offenhuber, it’s not so abstract. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

Here’s one way to make data tangible and exciting

When most of us hear “data,” we think of facts and figures confined to charts and reports. For Northeastern professor Dietmar Offenhuber, it’s not so abstract. When he sees data, his imagination takes him to a world that’s filled with all kinds of physical phenomena. Beyond percentages and statistics, he’s picturing tree rings and microplastics.

by Khalida Sarwari December 18, 2018

If we don’t adopt stronger data security laws, said Northeastern professor Woodrow Hartzog, we might be left with a digital landscape that could be marred by chaos and deregulation. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Data security expert calls for stronger cybersecurity laws

Professor Woodrow Hartzog will testify at the Federal Trade Commission’s hearing on data security on Wednesday, where he plans to advocate for rules that understand security and privacy as related problems.

by Khalida Sarwari December 12, 2018

Northeastern professor David Choffnes and two students developed the Wehe app to track violations of net neutrality. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

New research shows that, post net neutrality, internet providers are slowing down your streaming

YouTube resolution down again? Through a collaboration with another Massachusetts university, this Northeastern team unveils exactly who’s responsible.

by Aria Bracci and Lia Petronio September 10, 2018

Olivia Rouse created <i>Accio Data</i>, a data-driven visual guide to all things Harry Potter. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Recent graduate’s data visualizations transform the magic of Harry Potter into something Muggles can understand

Olivia Rouse created a data-driven guide to the Harry Potter franchise, whose books she’s read more than 10 times.

by Greg St. Martin June 21, 2018

Rana Glasgal, associate vice provost for institutional research and decision support, heads Northeastern's institutional research and data administration operations. <i>Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University</i>

Data-minded

Rana Glasgal is constantly thinking about data—and for good reason. As associate vice provost for institutional research and decision support, she leads a team that plays a pivotal role in informing decision-making at the university.

by Greg St. Martin October 4, 2017

Woodrow Hartzog joined Northeastern’s faculty this fall with joint appointments in the School of Law and the College of Computer and Information Science. <i>Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University</i>

The evolving laws and rules around privacy, data security, and robots

Woodrow Hartzog, who joined Northeastern’s faculty this fall, studies the problems that arise when personal information is collected using new technologies. “Information is power, and when other people collect it they have power over us and that leaves us vulnerable,” he says.

by Greg St. Martin September 6, 2017