CS886 (Topics in AI) - Trust and Online Social Networks - Prof. Robin Cohen
Winter 2016 - Time and location: Monday 9:30 - 11:20 am, DC 2568

In this course, we will examine the context of online social networks
from the perspective of artificial intelligence, including an exploration
of the subfield of trust modeling in multiagent systems and its
application to social networking environments.

Background in artificial intelligence is beneficial but not essential.
In an early lecture, a brief introduction to AI will be provided.

Students will be exposed to a variety of current research in a
very topical area of study. They will have the opportunity to gain
skill in oral communication (through detailed feedback provided on
their class presentations) and in concisely conveying detailed academic work.
Students will also learn important analytic skills, executed in a limited
timeframe, through the group exercise.

Workload and Logistics

The class size will be limited to 15.
Each student in the class will be required to complete:
a) a 15 minute oral presentation of a research paper from a predetermined list,
once for the topic of Trust and once for the topic of Social Networks
b) a one-page point-form summary of the above research paper to be
distributed as a handout to the class, for each of the presentations in a)
c) a 10 minute oral presentation of the student's final research project
d) a final research project (student's choice), relevant to the course topic
e) a group-oriented in-class exercise (with an individual component)

The final grade will be computed as follows:
- each presentation and handout 10 marks each (40 marks)
- final project presentation 10 marks
- group exercise 10 marks
- final project 40 marks (due April 4)

Schedule (Tentative First Draft)

Jan 4  Intro to course (1 hour)
Jan 11 Intro to AI; Intro to user modeling, trust modeling
Jan 18 First Half Presentations (5)
Jan 25 First Half Presentations (5)
Feb 1  First Half Presentations (5)
Feb 8  Intro to social networking; Guest speaker
Feb 15 Break Week
Feb 22 Second Half Presentations (5) 
Feb 29 Second Half Presentations (5)
Mar 7 Second Half Presentations (5)
Mar 14 In-Class Group Exercise
Mar 21 Project Presentations (10)
Mar 28 Project Presentations (5); Wrap up of course

Contact: rcohen@uwaterloo.ca