Events
Past Event
WED@NICO SEMINAR: Sourav Medya, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) "AI for Patents: Progress, Pitfalls, and Potential"
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
12:00 PM
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Lower Level, Chambers Hall
Details
Speaker:
Sourav Medya, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
Title:
AI for Patents: Progress, Pitfalls, and Potential
Abstract:
As the volume and complexity of patent data continue to grow, artificial intelligence offers powerful tools to transform how we analyze, manage, and generate intellectual property. This talk explores how AI—through the lenses of graph learning, multimodal modeling, and large language models—can be harnessed to enhance various aspects of the patent process. First, we will discuss how graph learning can uncover hidden structures among patents and provide insights into patent valuation. Next, we will explore the role of multimodal learning in understanding design patents by combining visual and textual features for improved patent-related tasks—such as patent classification and retrieval. Finally, we examine the emerging potential of large language models (LLMs) in assisting with patent drafting and refinement, making patent drafting more accessible. Together, these approaches highlight a new frontier in AI-assisted patent systems—where multimodal patent data can be jointly leveraged to support innovation, efficiency, and decision-making in the patent ecosystem. We will conclude the talk with some interesting research directions.
Speaker Bio:
Sourav Medya is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). His research focuses on the problems at the intersection of graphs, machine learning, and data science with a focus on bias, fairness, and interpretability. He also builds machine learning based techniques that have high impact in the areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, and computational social science.
Before joining UIC, Sourav was a research assistant professor in the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO). He received his Ph.D in Computer Science from University of California, Santa Barbara, and he received a Master of Engineering degree in Computer Science and Automation Department from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India.
Location:
In person: Chambers Hall, 600 Foster Street, Lower Level
Remote option: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/91291365825
Passcode: NICO25
About the Speaker Series:
Wednesdays@NICO is a vibrant weekly seminar series focusing broadly on the topics of complex systems, data science and network science. It brings together attendees ranging from graduate students to senior faculty who span all of the schools across Northwestern, from applied math to sociology to biology and every discipline in-between. Please visit: https://bit.ly/WedatNICO for information on future speakers.
Time
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location
Lower Level, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
WED@NICO SEMINAR: Steven Franconeri, Northwestern University "Point Taken: A gamified Intervention that Creates Enlightened Disagreements"
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
12:00 PM
//
Lower Level, Chambers Hall
Details
Speaker:
Steven Franconeri, Professor of Psychology, Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences; Professor of Management and Organizations, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Title:
Point Taken: A gamified Intervention that Creates Enlightened Disagreements
Abstract:
Should we drop standardized testing for college or Ph.D. admissions? Allow athletes to join teams based on gender identity? When organizational and public policies bind behavior, human coexistence requires a way to determine that collective policy. Because individuals and like-minded groups have incomplete information, constrained strategies, and biased perspectives, thoughtful debate on those policies is critical. Unfortunately, those debates too often degrade into chaotic fights.
Point Taken provides a scalable solution by translating best practices in conflict resolution and critical thinking into a structured dialogue that can be learned and played in 30 minutes. In this interactive session, you'll play a short game to feel its effects.
Players replace persuasion with a common goal of discovering why they disagree. Dialogue then unfolds thoughtfully and calmly, through chains of short written reasons and responses. We've tested the game extensively in schools and organizations, and conducted a formal pilot study. All show powerful improvements in the tone and quality of debate, across longstanding and strongly-held disagreements. I’ll give background on best practices for enlightened disagreement, show how they translate to the game, ask you to play a game, and then ask for your advice on next steps.
Speaker Bio:
Steven Franconeri is leading scientist, teacher, and speaker on visual thinking, visual communication, and the psychology of data visualization. He is a Professor of Psychology in the Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences at Northwestern, Director of the Northwestern Cognitive Science Program, as well as a Kellogg Professor of Management and Organizations by Courtesy. He is the director of the Visual Thinking Laboratory, where a team of researchers explore how leveraging the visual system - the largest single system in your brain - can help people think, remember, and communicate more efficiently.
His undergraduate training was in computer science and cognitive science at Rutgers University, followed by a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Harvard University, and postdoctoral research at the University of British Columbia. His work on both Cognitive Science and Data Visualization has been funded by the National Science Foundation, as well as the Department of Education, and the Department of Defense. He has received a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER award, given to researchers who combine excellent research with outstanding teaching, and he has received a Psychonomic Society Early Career award for his research on visual thinking.
Location:
In person: Chambers Hall, 600 Foster Street, Lower Level
Remote option: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/97198523514
PW: NICO26
About the Speaker Series:
Wednesdays@NICO is a vibrant weekly seminar series focusing broadly on the topics of complex systems, data science and network science. It brings together attendees ranging from graduate students to senior faculty who span all of the schools across Northwestern, from applied math to sociology to biology and every discipline in-between. Please visit: https://bit.ly/WedatNICO for information on future speakers.
Time
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location
Lower Level, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)