News: 2025

The Data Science Institute hosted a reception at the Smart Museum in honor of this year’s graduating class of data science majors.
 

The Data Science Institute’s annual event showcased cross-campus collaborations spanning climate science, government, and more.
 

A new study from scientists from the University of Chicago found that neural networks cannot forecast “gray swan” weather events, which might not appear in existing training data but could still happen—like 200-year floods or massive hurricanes.
 

Ben Zhao discusses the effects of generative AI on the future of art and how to protect the future of creativity. 

A wrist-mounted camera and tactile feedback system from the Human-Computer Integration Lab redefines sensory substitution, helping users "see" through their hands for real-world object exploration and accessibility.
 

CacheBlend by Asst. Prof. Junchen Jiang boosts AI speed and accuracy, earning ACM EuroSys 2025 honors. This open-source tool invites global collaboration to transform AI in key sectors.

Astronomers Rafael Luque and Jacob Bean discuss new research and evidence regarding the chances of life on planets far from Earth. 

Bozhi Tian explains in a CBS video the new medical device "ABLE" and how it can find medical answers through particles in the air. 

Astrophysics PhD student Ritvik Basant discusses his experiences as an international student at UChicago.

Watch a dynamic panel discussion featuring leading Computer Science faculty—Michael Franklin, Becca Willett, Ben Zhao, and Ce Zhang—moderated by WIRED’s Kate Knibbs. This recorded conversation explores the future of AI, its societal impact, and pressing ethical issues like privacy, bias, and fairness.

New UChicago institute joins a $90 million nationwide network advancing fundamental inquiry and collaboration in physics.

Fermilab has started accepting applications for a local photo contest this summer as part of a global contest. Photographers will be able to capture behind the science areas at Fermilab for a chance to be entered into the international competition this fall.
 

Annual event invites students from across departments to apply machine learning methods to advance scientific discovery.
 

PhD Candidate Alex Wuqi Zhang studies whether allowing users to customize robot behavior might reduce how intelligent, autonomous, and agentic AI-powered robots seem to them.

This year, ten PSD instructors and students have been honored for excellence in teaching the next generation of scientists.