Currently

General Interest

  • Algorithms and economics.
  • Intersection of discrete and continuous math.
  • Mathematical and algorithmic foundations of learning.
  • Type theory for math discovery and computing practice.

with emphasis on theoretical foundations and provably guaranteed frameworks using proof and logic techniques.

Particular Curiousity

  • The internet revolutionized humanity’s connectivity, AI revolutionized information flow, but rarely do we cooperate. Socialists have ambitions for Collective Intelligence, a paradigm of AI which enables coherent cooperation among the crowd, but no technical progress of practical relevance is witnessed. Silicon valley is keen on Artificial General Intelligence replacing humans. The next wave could be collective intelligence, enabling a new kind of economic interaction among people and agents.
  • Combinatorics is rooted in algorithmic toolboxes. Other math areas are the underpinnings of the data driven world. Topological Combinatorics within the math community studies connections between Topology and Combinatorics. Spreer’s works are ambitious. Can we use Topological Combinatorics to reduce continuous algorithms to discrete ones, or to understand continuous algorithms through our combinatorial toolbox?
  • Due to the rapid progress of AI, trustworthiness and alignment are becoming critical. Algorithmic aspects of learning are studied; Learning-augmented algorithms retains robustness of algorithms when predictions are inaccurate; Neuro-symbolic designs a hybrid of data-driven and symbolic-proven components; Machine Learning with Mathematical Structures generalizes data types and patterns with geometry, topology, and algebra. Categorical Deep Learning unifies deep learning architectures with category theory. Nonetheless, theory and logic are neither catching up with practitioners nor justifying their added complexity. Are there near-term or pragmatic approaches? Is there an alignment theory of black-box oracles?
  • Functional programming had fallen back as quick prototyping is more valuable than correctness for practitioners. CS Theorists find Turing machines more natural than Lambda Calculus. Recently, Lean enables math verification, promises a new kind of collaboration, and integrates LLMs for mathematical discovery. TypeDB leverages type theory for databases to express advanced logic. Is there a potential for bridging Logic and Computation through Type theory?

Philosophy.

What is Theoretical CS?

A good CS theory is abstract from specific applications, yet explains or influences computing practice. CS theory may not solve useful problems but the conceptual idea and concepts are motivated by practice. Solutions tied to specific concrete problems loses the potential and power of abstraction. CS theory irrelevant to practice may advance math but then it won’t be a theory for computing. Tim’s beyond the worst-case analysis is inspiring, and I like Oded and Avi’s 1996 essay.

Theory vs Application

A theorist’s mission is to progress the intellect of humanity. It’s about enlightening new conceptual ideas, and resolving technical challenges. Theory could lead to applications as number theory preceeded cryptography. Applications could stimulate theory as OpenAI engineers have built what we theoretically thought is not doable. It seems progress is driven by an interplay among diverse fields of inquiry and approaches. A good theorist does not get enclosed within a bubble, but progresses the intellect, following whatever angle is more promising. I don’t see boundaries between math, theoretical CS, and practical CS. Roger Penrose’s Fashion, Faith, and Fantasy is full of wisdom.

Community

I care about humanity’s future and economic growth by means of leadership. Science’s intellectual progress is a social endeavour, and hence it is natural for a theorist to care about people, teaching, and communication.

Service.

I do moderate TCS’s awesome list, getting the chance to meet students all over the world.

Good Memories.

Family.

Mum & Dad (Lawyer), Brother (Athlete Coach), Sister (Passed away aged 14).