Researchers design new ways to create safer algorithms for AI at UMass Amherst

Researchers at the College of Information & Computer Sciences have designed a new tool to create algorithms that prevent undesirable behaviors in machine learning, giving users more control in specifying safer and less biased results in applications. These algorithms created with their new framework are called ‘Seldonian’ after Isaac Asimov’s character, Hari Seldon, from the “Foundation” sci-fi series. UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the largest public research university in New England, distinguished by the excellence and breadth of its academic, research and community programs. Founded in 1863 and home to nearly 30,000 total undergraduate and graduate students, UMass ranks no. 27 in a field of more than 700 public, four-year colleges across the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report&latest annual college guide. UMass Amherst stretches across more than 1,400 acres of land in the historic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, providing a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers - campus sits 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The idyllic college town of Amherst is home to hiking, biking, museums, music, theater, history, food, farms and much more. UMass Amherst also joins a local consortium of five nationally recognized colleges, including Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith colleges.