ISD Seminar Highlights Environmental Reflection on Ubiquitous Computing with Prof. Gregory D. Abowd

On April 29, 2025, the Division of Integrative Systems and Design (ISD) at HKUST welcomed Prof. Gregory D. Abowd—Dean of the College of Engineering and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern University—for a thought-provoking seminar titled “Ubiquitous Computing Considered Harmful: A Two-Act Story of Getting Things Right for the Wrong Reason.”

Prof. Abowd, a pioneer in Human-Computer Interaction and Ubiquitous Computing, has championed the concept of the Internet of Materials for nearly a decade. In his talk, he revisited Mark Weiser’s original vision of ubiquitous computing, offering a modern reinterpretation that has shaped not only his own research trajectory but also that of a growing interdisciplinary community.

The seminar drew attendees from diverse backgrounds, including faculty members, researchers, and both undergraduate and graduate students. Prof. Abowd began by reflecting on the technical promise of ever-increasing computational ubiquity—from fundamental computation to real-world deployment. He then transitioned to a sobering second act: a critical examination of the environmental costs associated with producing, operating, and discarding computational artifacts.

Emphasizing the urgent need to rethink long-standing assumptions in computing design, Prof. Abowd argued for a paradigm shift—one that balances technological advancement with sustainability. He urged the community to treat the Internet of Materials not merely as a visionary pursuit, but as an ethical imperative in light of our planet’s environmental health.

The session concluded with a dynamic Q&A, where participants engaged Prof. Abowd in discussions ranging from sustainable materials to the societal implications of pervasive technology. The event left attendees with new perspectives on how responsible innovation must inform the future of ubiquitous computing.