Eureka: CMU Prof Solves Classic Computing Conundrum

  • By Paul McCloskey
  • 05/29/07
Computer scientists from Carnegie Mellon University and the Russian Academy of Science will share an award from the Association for Computing Machinery for work on a key unresolved question in theoretical computer science.

Steven Rudich, a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon, and Alexander A. Razborov, a mathematician at the Steklov Mathematical Institute in Moscow, will receive the $5,000 prize for their work on the "P vs. NP problem." ACM described the problem as "a classic question concerning computational complexity" that underlies security of ATM cards, computer passwords, and electronic commerce.

"It is literally a million-dollar question," according to ACM, one of seven "Millennium Problems" that the Clay Mathematics Institute has offered $1 million for solving.

"Of all of the prizes I could win, I would choose this one," Rudich said. "Gödel has been my luminary hero since I was 12."

Read More:

About the Author

Paul McCloskey is contributing editor of Syllabus.

Featured

  • glowing lines connecting colorful nodes on a deep blue and black gradient background

    Juniper Launches AI-Native Networking and Security Management Platform

    Juniper Networks has introduced a new solution that integrates security and networking management under a unified cloud and artificial intelligence engine.

  • person signing a bill at a desk with a faint glow around the document. A tablet and laptop are subtly visible in the background, with soft colors and minimal digital elements

    California Governor Signs AI Content Safeguards into Law

    California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed off on a series of landmark artificial intelligence bills, signaling the state’s latest efforts to regulate the burgeoning technology, particularly in response to the misuse of sexually explicit deepfakes. The legislation is aimed at mitigating the risks posed by AI-generated content, as concerns grow over the technology's potential to manipulate images, videos, and voices in ways that could cause significant harm.

  • Global AI vibrancy ranking

    United States Leads in Stanford HAI Global AI Ranking

    A new ranking tool from the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) AI Index puts the United States in the No. 1 spot for global AI leadership.

  • metallic padlock with a glowing keyhole, set on a dark gradient background with a faint digital grid and blue-green highlights

    Microsoft Announces Security Updates as Part of Secure Future Initiative

    Microsoft has announced a handful of new security tools and updates, which the company said adhere to its Secure Future Initiative, a set of three core tenets emphasizing "secure by design, secure by default and secure operations."