Panel Discussions

Panel 1: Flying Networks: Where Do Drones and Satellites Lead Us?

7th January 2025, Tuesday, 5:15 pm – 6:45 pm

Drones and satellites play increasingly crucial roles in global communication and networking systems. These “flying networks” have a transformational impact on both civilian and military activities. Drone networks enable swarm-based delivery, precision farming, extended surveillance, disaster relief, targeted strikes, and electronic warfare. Satellite networks facilitate broadband Internet access, weather forecasting, climate monitoring, navigation, high-resolution imagery, reconnaissance, and missile warning. The convergence of aerial technology and computer networking brings both significant technical challenges and a range of ethical and regulatory concerns. This panel discussion examines the present status and future prospects of aerial networks through the following key perspectives:

Panel 2: Is Computer Networking Know-How Useful in Other Fields?

8th January 2025, Wednesday, 5:45 pm – 7:00 pm

Computer networks underpin our modern digital society. From sending emails to streaming high-definition videos, information now moves effortlessly across digital boundaries in the blink of an eye. The evolution of networking, from early experiments to the ubiquitous Internet of today, has driven scientific advancements and groundbreaking innovations in the design, execution, and management of complex networked systems on a global scale. However, the influence of networks extends beyond just communication and technology. Networks permeate many other areas of modern society, including transportation (ground, air, and water), utilities (electricity, water, and gas), biology and epidemiology, economics, social and political science, and more. Each networked system has its unique structure, behavior, and dynamics, making their study, analysis, and control challenging. The core lessons from computer networks could add significant value in solving critical problems in these other disciplines. This panel investigates this premise and covers the following key points:

Panel 3: Research and Education in the Time of GenAI

9th January 2025, Thursday, 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) promises to revolutionize both research and education with its powerful tools for summarizing vast amounts of information and generating new knowledge. However, significant uncertainty remains about its ultimate role in the generation and transmission of knowledge. GenAI has the potential to augment learning by increasing efficiency and accelerating innovation. In education, anticipated improvements include the elimination of grading and other mundane tasks, freeing up teachers for more valuable interactions with students, such as hands-on learning and experimentation. Yet, GenAI technology presents a trade-off between improving productivity and fostering students' abilities to understand fundamentals and generate new knowledge. This panel discussion explores the following key points:

Panel Co-Chairs