CS Seminar: Yaxing Yao

Description

Yaxing Yao, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech, will give a talk titled "A Symbiotic Ecosystem for AI and Human-Centered Privacy" for the Department of Computer Science.

Abstract:

As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly permeates our daily lives, it brings immense benefits but also introduces critical privacy challenges, such as data misuse, surveillance, and loss of control. In this talk, Yaxing Yao will share his vision of an ecosystem where AI and privacy are not adversaries, but allies, and mutually reinforce and enrich one another. Rather than treating privacy as an obstacle, this ecosystem positions it as a foundational element of AI's development, fostering a balanced environment that benefits both technology and society. Yao will introduce three fundamental relationships that drive this symbiotic ecosystem: 1) mutual benefit, wherein AI empowers users to understand and manage their data usage; 2) co-adaptation, wherein AI dynamically adapts to diverse privacy needs across contexts; and 3) ecosystem balance, wherein AI is properly anchored within regulatory frameworks and public policies to ensure users' privacy. These three relationships redefine AI as a respectful partner in our digital lives—one that supports human-centered values and upholds our autonomy and privacy. Yao will discuss how his research contributes to the advancement of this ecosystem and how he expands its impact to privacy literacy development among families and children via community-based research efforts. Finally, he will discuss challenges and open questions in achieving this vision.