Presidential Colloquium Addresses the Future of Computer Science & Technology

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On Thursday, April 17, 2014, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted Dr. Stephen Wolfram for a presidential colloquium entitled “Implications of Computation for the Future of Science and Technology.” AUA faculty, staff, and students, as well as members of the public, filled AUA’s Alex and Marie Manoogian Hall to learn about Dr. Wolfram’s groundbreaking projects in the sphere of computer science.

Dr. Wolfram is the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research, the creator of the computer software Mathematica, the Wolfram|Alpha answer engine, and the Wolfram computer language, as well as the author of A New Kind of Science.

AUA President Dr. Bruce M. Boghosian opened the colloquium by welcoming audience members and speaking about Dr. Wolfram’s accomplishments. He shared, “This colloquium is a unique opportunity for the AUA community and the greater public to learn from a true pioneer in computer science. We are delighted to have Dr. Wolfram as a guest speaker.”

Audience members were captivated by a detailed presentation of the capabilities of the latest version of the Wolfram|Alpha program, soon to be released. Dr. Wolfram shared, “the idea of the Wolfram Language is to have a language where as much as possible is automated.” He continued, “this is exciting because this language that we have has many important attributes. It automates a large part of the process of writing code, of writing programs. That means that a much broader range of people can write sophisticated programs.”

Dr. Wolfram also spoke about how the idea for the Wolfram Language came about when he was 20 years old. Upon realizing that the mathematical equations he was computing for physics were rather mechanical, he began searching for someone to create a program to automate these equations. He said, “after I unsuccessfully tried to persuade other people to build such a system, I said, okay, now I have to build this myself.”

The presidential colloquium was preceded by a reception for the AUA community in AUA’s Akian Art Gallery. AUA students were particularly excited about having this opportunity to communicate directly with such an influential figure in the sphere of computer science.

To view more photos of the event, please visit our Facebook page.

To view the recording of the event, please see below:

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

Dr. Stephen Wolfram speaks with AUA students.

 

AUA students, faculty, and staff were thrilled to speak with Dr. Wolfram during a reception in Akian Art Gallery.

 

Dr. Wolfram also used the opportunity to learn from AUA students.

Dr. Wolfram giving his presentation, “Implications of Computation for the Future of Science and Technology” at AUA.

 

AUA’s Alex and Marie Manoogian Hall was filled with AUA students, faculty, staff, and members of the public.