Communications of the ACM
The opinion archive provides access to past opinion stories from Communications of the ACM and other sources by date.
July 2015
From ACM Opinion
The End of Encryption? Nsa & Fbi Seek New Backdoors Against Advice from Leading Security Experts
FBI Director James Comey is set to testify against encryption before the Senate Intelligence Committee today, as the United States and Britain push for "exceptional access" to encrypted communications.
From ACM Opinion
Encryption, Public Safety, and 'going Dark'
I am worried we are talking past each other with respect to "Going Dark," so let me try to frame it in a way that I hope is fair-minded and provides a basis for healthy discussion.
From ACM Opinion
Saving Fuel with Software
Energy efficiency isn't just a good idea from an environmental perspective; it makes business sense as well.
From ACM Opinion
The DARPA Robotics Challenge Was A Bust
It's been close to a month since the DARPA Robotics Challenge wrapped up. That's time enough to face facts. The biggest and most well-funded international robotics competition in years was a failure.
From ACM Opinion
The Very Best Ideas For Preventing Artificial Intelligence from Wrecking the Planet
The Boston-based Future of Life Institute, backed by a $10 million donation from Elon Musk, recently announced its list of 37 winners of research grants in the field of artificial intelligence.
From ACM News
Leap Motion's Augmented-Reality Computing Looks Stupid Cool
We have a habit of filling new technologies with old ideas.
From ACM Opinion
Meet Our Future Robosimian Heroes
Not all robots are built for war and destruction.
From ACM Opinion
Is Star Trek Tech Possible?
My friend Veronica Belmont is pretty cool. Nerd, writer, TV host… and now she’s doing an online video series with Engadget called "Dear Veronica," where she answers tech/geek questions sent in by viewers.
From ACM Opinion
Failure of New .s. Weapons Systems May Be More Than Science Fiction
A war between China and America is a favorite subject of armchair military analysts. Why would it happen? How would it play out?
From ACM Opinion
Calculating Pluto's Mass With Snapshots From New Horizons
As the New Horizons spacecraft is approaching Pluto, it's getting some great shots.
From ACM Opinion
Stephen Hawking Asks a Big Question of Mark Zuckerberg
Stephen Hawking woke up Tuesday morning and immediately summoned his handlers.
From Communications of the ACM
Respecting People and Respecting Privacy
Minimizing data collection to protect user privacy and increase security.
From Communications of the ACM
An Updated Software Almanac
Research into what makes software projects succeed.
From Communications of the ACM
Anti-Circumvention Rules Limit Reverse Engineering
Considering some of the requested exceptions to technical protection mechanisms.
From Communications of the ACM
Preserving the Digital Record of Computing History
Reflecting on the complexities associated with maintaining rapidly changing information technology.
From Communications of the ACM
African Americans in the U.S. Computing Sciences Workforce
An exploration of the education-to-work pipeline.
From Communications of the ACM
The Future of Computer Science and Engineering Is in Your Hands
How government service can profoundly influence computer science research and education.