Communications of the ACM
Innovation Is Overrated: A Provocation
Digital innovation is not working in the interest of the whole of society. It is time to radically rethink its purpose without…
From Communications of the ACM
The Smallness of Large Language Models
There is so much more to language and human beings than large language models can possibly master.
From Communications of the ACM
A Map for Innovation
Innovation is less elusive with the right navigational map.
From Communications of the ACM
The Context Problem in Artificial Intelligence
The artificial intelligence design challenge of teaming humans and machines is difficult because machines cannot read the context of use.
From Communications of the ACM
Involvement and Detachment
How detachment from your community blocks your success at leading innovations, and what to do about it.
From Communications of the ACM
Systems Abstractions
Computing professionals use powerful abstractions to tame complexity in large software systems and distributed networks.
From Communications of the ACM
Back of the Envelope
Back-of-the-envelope calculations are a powerful professional practice.
From Communications of the ACM
Science Is Not Another Opinion
The issue is not who has the "truth," but whose claims deserve more credence.
From Communications of the ACM
Avalanches Make Us All Innovators
Avalanches generate enormous breakdowns. The practices of innovation adoption may be just what you need to resolve them.
From Communications of the ACM
Technology Adoption
The S-shaped curve of technology adoption is a welcome recurrence in an otherwise chaotic adoption world.
From Communications of the ACM
Uncertainty
Considering how to best navigate stability and randomness.
From Communications of the ACM
Navigating with Accelerating Technology Change
Mathematical tools such as S-curves locate inflection points in technology-accelerated social spaces; where we move next depends on our navigational skills.
From Communications of the ACM
The Computing Profession
Taking stock of progress toward a computing profession since this column started in 2001.
From Communications of the ACM
The Forgotten Engineer
Engineering has been marginalized by the unhealthy belief that engineering is the application of science.
From Communications of the ACM
Multitasking Without Thrashing
Lessons from operating systems teach how to do multitasking without thrashing.
From Communications of the ACM
Misconceptions About Computer Science
Common misconceptions about computer science hinder professional growth and harm the identity of computing.
From Communications of the ACM
Learning to Learn
Do you get stuck when it is time to learn something new? Read this.
From Communications of the ACM
Software Quality
Software users are looking more and more for software that delights.
From Communications of the ACM
Why Our Theories of Innovation Fail Us
Until we moderate our fascination with creating ideas, we will not achieve the rate of innovations we seek.
From Communications of the ACM
'Surfing Toward the Future'
A new report from Chile about improving economic competitiveness advances a novel interpretation of innovation. Timing is everything.12