Computers were created to help us solve problems, from writing and navigation to staying connected with the people we care about. In many ways, they have succeeded. But as computers have grown more capable, a paradox has emerged: we can do more than ever, yet often feel less capable, less connected, and less fulfilled. As our field builds increasingly capable AI agents, a deeper challenge comes into view: designing computers that strengthen our own agency and the experiences we have.
In this talk, I will share a new approach to computing, inspired by psychology and game design, that focuses on what we experience and how to make those experiences more meaningful. I will show two examples of this approach in action, from making digital media and games accessible to blind players to designing tools that foster more genuine connection. Together, these examples point toward a different role for computers: not as replacements for human ability, but as partners in helping us live more meaningful and self-directed lives.
| 11:45am - 12:15pm: | Food and community socializing. |
| 12:15pm - 1:15pm: | Presentation with Q&A. Available hybrid via Zoom. |
| 1:30pm - 2:15pm: | Student meeting with speaker, held in the same location. |
Brian A. Smith is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Columbia University and the director of the Computer-Enabled Abilities Laboratory (CEAL). His research goal is to develop computers that act as true partners in human ability, augmenting rather than replacing it. Instead of developing more intelligent systems alone, he focuses on the experiences they create and how to make them more meaningful. He has been recognized as a National Academy of Sciences Kavli Fellow and is the recipient of several honors including the NSF CAREER Award, Columbia Engineering’s Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, and awards for advancing undergraduate engineering programs.