Presented on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 for the "SSE Dean’s Virtual Seminar Series: The Future of Systems," this video features Prof. Yi (Max) Ren on first principles and their relation to data-driven methods in complex engineering systems.

In his talk, titled “The Role of First Principles in Solving Engineering Problems in the ‘AI’ Era,” Dr. Ren examines three studies across the spectrum in which first principles play a significant role in mitigating the risks induced by data-driven models. Dr. Ren uses these studies to push back against the common belief that understanding, building and controlling complex engineering systems requires data-driven methods beyond first principles. Although these methods are often boasted as “AI,” they are known to lack risk certification, translating to a lack of principled knowledge about when they will fail or how badly if they do, Ren posits.

Dr. Ren is an assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at Arizona State University. His research focuses on developing robust machine learning methods for risk-sensitive engineering systems with applications to structure/materials design and autonomous driving. He has won multiple grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Learn more about Dr. Ren and his research. 

The "SSE Dean’s Virtual Seminar Series: The Future of Systems" is presented by Dean Yehia Massoud and offers weekly lectures each Wednesday at noon for Stevens undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, administration and guests. At each session, SSE faculty present a 20-minute lecture, followed by a five-to-10 minute Q&A session.

The series has been created to keep students informed on the advances of faculty research, and the mission of the School of Systems & Enterprises as a leader in systems science and engineering. Each lecture will be recorded and made available on Kaltura for those who are unable to attend the live Zoom sessions.

View the 2020-2021 academic year's SSE Dean's Seminar Series lectures.