Computer scientist Yu Zhang researches how AI is helping create a better world

Yu Zhang

Yu Zhang, assistant professor of computer science, is the first to admit that artificial intelligence can be very exciting in the movies, especially in films such as The Matrix. But what makes it attractive to her is how scientists are using computers and artificial intelligence to simulate and study real world social trends.

Professor Zhang researches topics related to artificial intelligence, including agent based modeling. “Basically an agent could be any entity in the world which can observe the environment and perform an action on what it observes,” she said.  An agent could be a human, a robot, or a software program. 

Professor Zhang works with software agents to develop computer programs that can respond with actions based on rules a programmer develops. The software agents can remember its actions and learn to make decisions based on information it receives.  For example, anyone with a Netflix account can thank a software agent program for making film recommendations based on movies a person likes.

By using agent based modeling and multi-agent systems, scientists can set up computer models that will simulate social situations which could take years to complete in real life, but which can be completed at a fraction of the time and cost. “Artificial intelligence is the best technology for this purpose,” said Professor Zhang.

Recently, Professor Zhang began studying a new area of computer science – viral marketing.

“Viral marketing is kind of the new technology in management science.  Previously companies did mass marketing, which means they would give a sample to as many people as they could reach and let them test it,” she said. “But that is very expensive and time consuming. Viral marketing is based on the technology of social networking. It uses the influence of a select group of people who can influence others through blog posts and other related media.”

Professor Zhang said now is a great time to be a student interested in computer science.  “I think Trinity students have a very bright future if they consider computer science as a major, a minor, or as a second major - which is a new option we provide,” she said, “because of how fast the field is growing and of the wide application area of computer science.”  This is especially true in the areas of artificial intelligence, which includes biocomputing and bioengineering, and networking.

“I think this gives students a tremendous opportunity learning the dynamics of the world. The ultimate goal is to have computers assist people in their daily life – to do work which people cannot do.”

Courses Taught:

• Principles of Algorithm Design
• Artificial Intelligence
• Multi-Agent Systems
• Professional/Ethical/Design Seminar

Selected Publications:

• “An Agent-based Simulation Study for Exploring Organizational Adaptation,” (with J. Wu, B. Hu, C. Spense, S. Hall, and K. Carley), SCS Transactions of Simulation, 2009.
• “A History Sensitive Cascade Model for Social Networks, Special Issues on Agent-Directed Simulation,” International Journal of Intelligent Control Systems, 2009.
•  “A Role-Based Approach in Dynamic Task Delegation in Agent Teamwork,” Journal of Software, 2008.

© 2009 Trinity University