Events

Carsten Baum:
Efficient Designated-Verifier Zero-Knowledge and Cheese Puns

May 19^th, 2022, | 4:00 pm
Place: IFEG042

Zero knowledge proofs are an important building block in many cryptographic applications. Unfortunately, when the proof statements become very large, existing zero-knowledge proof systems easily reach their limits: either the computational overhead, the memory footprint, or the required bandwidth exceed levels that would be tolerable in practice.

In this talk, I present a designated-verifier zero-knowledge proof system for boolean and arithmetic circuits, called Mac’n’Cheese (CRYPTO 2021), with a focus on supporting large circuits. The work follows the commit-and-prove paradigm instantiated using information-theoretic MACs based on vector oblivious linear evaluation to achieve high efficiency. It additionally allows to optimize disjunctions, with a general OR transformation for proving the disjunction of m
statements that has communication complexity proportional to the longest statement. These disjunctions can further be nested, allowing efficient proofs about complex statements with many levels of disjunctions. Mac’n’Cheese can be made non-interactive (after a preprocessing phase) using the Fiat-Shamir transform.

Additionally, I will present two other recent results which built upon the Mac’n’Cheese proof system. First, I will discuss how to efficiently convert between different proof systems with an approach called Appenzeller2Brie (CCS 2021). Moreover, I will show that a protocol similar to Mac’n’Cheese can be constructed to permit proofs over rings modulo 2^k. This protocol, called QuarkSilver, is the first such protocol to natively work over these rings.

CS Talks #9:
Eva Galperin: Who Deserves Cybersecurity?

June 07^th, 2022, | 5:30 pm
Place: Aula Alte Technik

We're all in cybersecurity, but who is cybersecurity for and what does cybersecurity protect? This talk will discuss some of the failures and blind spots of cybersecurity as it stands and discusses the ways in which cybersecurity can be reimagined to protect the marginalized.

Past Events

Tech talk:
Development of hand-gesture (camera based) apps (guest lecture by Huawei)

May 18^th, 2022, | 12:00 am
Place: Webex

Huawei developers will showcase development of hand-gesture-controlled Android apps using Huawei's AI/ML based computer vision API (supporting also Google Android, React Native, and iOS) under consideration of test-driven development.

Presenters:

Chia Leung Ho: As a passionate Developer Advocate, Chia Leung Ho is committed to bring the developers community together and provide guidance to the next generation. He specializes in the area of HarmonyOS - Wearable application development, Digital Advertising and Android development using Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). Currently based in Huawei Düsseldorf (Germany) and supporting developers from all over Europe.

Muhammed Şimşek: After graduating as a Computer Engineer, Muhammed Şimşek started working at Huawei at the R&D Center in Istanbul. There he started working on big data analysis of telecommunications data, but quickly switched to working with Android to extend the reach of the Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). Currently he works at Huawei Netherlands and supports developers in Germany and the Benelux.

Note: There will be high-tech swags sponsored by Huawei!

You are cordially invited to this talk!

Arranged through Prof. Slany's Catrobat team, winner of the Huawei Best App Europe award 2020.

Nils Götzen:
EU Horizon Project – SimInSitu

May 16^th, 2022, | 16:30 am
Place: BMT01046

SimInSitu is aiming to develop a sophisticated in-silico method to predict the short- and long-term behavior of in-situ tissue engineered heart valves by combing advanced tissue remodeling algorithms with a personalized virtual heart modelling approach. The method will be specifically developed to predict the complex transformation process of biodegradable heart valves from the initially synthetic scaffold into a fully remodeled & functional valve.

Jaan Raik:
HW-based monitoring and mitigation of cache SCAs

May 11^th, 2022, | 9:00 am
Place: IFEG02

Tyge Tiessen:
A formal analysis of boomerang probabilities

April 29^th, 2022, | 9:30 am
Place: IFEG042

In the past 20 years since their conception, boomerang attacks have become an important tool in the cryptanalysis of block ciphers. In the classical estimate of their success probability, assumptions are made about the independence of the underlying differential trails that are not well-founded. We underline the problems inherent in these independence assumptions by using them to prove that for any boomerang there exists a differential trail over the entire cipher with a higher probability than the boomerang.
We further provide a framework which allows us to formulate and prove rigorous statements about the probabilities involved in boomerang attacks without relying on independence assumptions of the trails.

Johanna Pirker @ 84^th Vienna Children's Lecture

March 27^th, 2022, | 11:00 am

What does a great game need?
The Vienna Children's Lectures at the Zoom Children's Museum give inquisitive children aged eight to twelve an insight into the world of science. This time, computer scientist Johanna Pirkner will talk about the various components of an exciting computer game in the lecture "Vom Spielen und Gamen" ("On Playing and Gaming") and will also address the ideas and suggestions of the young audience. Registration is required.

Information event on the Master's program Computational Social Systems

March 30^th, 2022, | 05:00 pm | University of Graz, Universitätsstraße 15, HS 15.14

The English-language Master's program deals with new challenges and opportunities of digitalization. Digitalization generates and stores more and more data about our society and our behavior. The master's program trains experts who can derive valuable knowledge from these volumes of data using methods from computer science and specialist know-how and guarantee responsible use of this data. The CSS master's program places great emphasis on interdisciplinarity.

Virtual Open Lab Night 2022

Tuesday, March 8^th, 2022, | 5:00 pm | online

Vision, Learning & Optimization
Thomas Pock and his team show how to solve challenging computer vision and image processing problems using variational methods and machine learning.

Mixed Reality
Denis Kalkofen and his team present novel approaches for mixed reality displays.

Learning & Recognition
Horst Bischof and his team present recent work on autonomous driving and recognition of human motions and activities.

Real-Time Graphics
Markus Steinberger and his team demonstrate real-time graphics, modeling and other 3D applications running in real time on the GPU.

Robotics and 3D
Friedrich Fraundorfer and his team show research results in the area of 3D computer vision and demonstrate the camera drones used the aerial vision lab.

Virtual Reality
Dieter Schmalstieg and his team show novel algorithms and display technologies for Virtual Reality.

The Formalization and Representation of Expert Knowledge with Visual Analytics to Improve Product Quality in Serial Manufacturing Processes

December 09^th, 2021 | 11:00 pm | online

Advances in new technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analytics are enabling a new generation of smart manufacturing processes. These technologies allow the efficient tracking of the quality of produced parts along every step in the manufacturing process.
Here, sophisticated measurement equipment forms interconnected IoT networks, where the “smartness” level depends to great extent on how organizations can leverage data-driven approaches to create value of resulting big datasets and to support human experts with their high-cognition analysis tasks. In this regard, Visual Analytics (VA) can help to integrate human experts into the visual exploration of IoT data by augmenting analytical reasoning capabilities together with model-supported and custom-designed visualization interfaces. Thus, in this thesis, we analyze the role of VA in serial manufacturing processes. Specifically, we aim to examine how such visualization approaches can be used to formalize and represent expert knowledge to make it readily accessible for the development of data-driven approaches, which show great potential in improving serial manufacturing processes. In doing so, we present results from four design study projects in collaboration with a German manufacturer of electric vehicles. Our results indicate that VA shows great potential in augmenting human analytical reasoning processes of knowledge-intensive tasks. Furthermore, we outline how features, models, and especially labels can be leveraged by organizations as explicit knowledge products to be shared among organizational members and leveraged to engage in sophisticated data-driven approaches.

About Joscha Eirich

Joscha Eirich holds two bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration and information systems from the University of Bamberg.
At the moment he is working on his PhD at BMW Group. His research activities focus on the integration of domain knowledge into machine learning pipelines as well as visual analytics for the analysis of large-scale IoT data from serial manufacturing processes.

^{tugraz.webex.com/tugraz/j.php
Thursday, Dec 09, 2021 11:00 am | 1 hour | (UTC+02:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna Meeting number: 2733 247 3401
Password: UJhxpqJ4M28}

^{Join by video system
Dial 27332473401@tugraz.webex.com
You can also dial 62.109.219.4 and enter your meeting number.}

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Matchmaking Encryption

December 20^th, 2021 | 12:00 -14:00 | webex

Join via the meeting link
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Meeting ID (access code): 2733 968 8841 Meeting password: imNugMMt623

Daniele Venturi introduce a new form of encryption that we name matchmaking encryption (ME). Using ME, sender S and receiver R (each with its own attributes) can both specify policies the other party must satisfy in order for the message to be revealed. The main security guarantee is that of privacy-preserving policy matching: During decryption nothing is leaked beyond the fact that a match occurred/did not occur. ME opens up new ways of secretly communicating, and enables several new applications where both participants can specify fine-grained access policies to encrypted data. For instance, in social matchmaking, S can encrypt a file containing his/her personal details and specify a policy so that the file can be decrypted only by his/her ideal partner. On the other end, a receiver R will be able to decrypt the file only if S corresponds to his/her ideal partner defined through a policy. On the theoretical side, we define security for ME, as well as provide generic frameworks for constructing ME from functional encryption. These constructions need to face the technical challenge of simultaneously checking the policies chosen by S and R, to avoid any leakage. On the practical side, we construct an efficient identity-based scheme for equality policies, with provable security in the random oracle model under the standard BDH assumption. We implement and evaluate our scheme and provide experimental evidence that our construction is practical. We also apply identity-based ME to a concrete use case, in particular for creating an anonymous bulletin board over a Tor network.

Speaker: Daniele Venturi (Professor of Applied Mathematics, UC Santa Cruz)

SAFEST project - a Hardware Security network

November 22^th, 2021 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm | IFEG042

In this talk, Prof. Pagliarini will introduce the SAFEST project and the opportunities for collaboration and staff exchanges between TU Graz and TalTech. SAFEST is a H2020 Twinning action, a type of project where partners are committed to cross-training each other on the complementary topics of (hardware) security and circuit design. In particular, Prof. Pagliarini's team provides expertise on the design of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The talk will also cover one successful collaboration between TalTech and TU Graz where a post-quantum crypto core named SABER was recently taped out in 65nm CMOS.

CSBME Faculty Day 2021

October 14^th 2021, 13:30 - 18:00 CET, Aula "Alte Technik" and online

In addition to the Inaugural Lecture by David Garcia-Becerra, we will also host the Dean's List awards ceremony for the top students on our faculty and the presentation of the eponymous scholarship.
We are also pleased to have short research presentations by our career professors: Ursula Augsdörfer, Friedrich Fraundorfer, Elisabeth Lex, Viktoria Pammer-Schindler, Markus Steinberger, as well as Selina Wriessnegger.
A running buffet rounds off the Faculty Day.

Computer science education in Bavaria: reacting to the challenges of digitization

When: October 19^th, 2021 from 17:00 - 18:00
Where: HS BE01, Steyrergasse 30, Ground Floor // Webex
Registration required!

The unstoppable digitization of all areas of life is changing our society sustainably and dramatically. School education must respond to this appropriately, i.e., on a broad front. This requires a carefully planned, long-term, evidence-based overall strategy designed for sustainability, which must touch (almost) all areas of school activity. In line with this universality of demands, an enormous diversity of terms used for informatics education is evident worldwide. We have identified over 40 relevant terms for this purpose. Equally diverse are the teaching contents offered in this area. The identification of competencies to be learned by students poses particular difficulties. There is very little preliminary research on this to date.
To master digital systems, our students need solid knowledge of their technical functioning and logical structure as well as competencies suitable for everyday use to apply digital tools effectively and efficiently. This foundation can only be learned in a dedicated subject of computer science. But all other school subjects must also respond to the challenges of digitization by adapting their learning objectives, learning methods and the media used accordingly. However, it is not easy to make such changes to an existing school system while it is still in operation. The greatest challenge here is the restructuring of pre- and in-service teacher education, both in computer science and in the didactics of all other subjects.
The German State of Bavaria already reacted to this challenge in 2000 with the introduction of a compulsory subject in computer science at its Gymnasien and Realschulen, which was significantly developed designed and supported by the author, i.a. in teacher education, curriculum work, and by writing textbooks. This was followed in 2019 by another major offensive by the state government, in which the existing compulsory subject of computer science was further expanded as well as newly introduced at main schools.
In this presentation, the basic concept of this subject will be presented, as well as some supporting activities such as teacher training. However, in the course of these activities, some persistent obstacles have also emerged that are very difficult to remove, Above all, the low enrollments in teacher training programs for computer science, as can be observed in almost all concerned countries. One possible reason for this could be found in the contradictory personal requirements of a teaching degree on the one hand and a computer science degree on the other.

International Days 2021

When: October 19^th, 2021 - October 21^st, 2021
Where: Webex

Have you been thinking about going abroad as part of your studies for some time now? Do you keep asking yourself the following questions: Where? When? For how long? What opportunities are there at all?
During the International Days at Graz University of Technology, there will be various opportunities to get information, ask open questions and network with students who are currently doing a semester abroad or are doing their exchange at Graz University of Technology.

Inauguration Lecture of the new Master´s Computational Social Systems

October 11^th 2021, 16:30 CET, Meerscheinschlössl, Mozartgasse 3 8010 Graz, and online

A Kick-Off Event for the new Mater´s Computastional Social Systems. The new program is a cooperation of the two universities of graz. At the event, the rectors of the two universities will say a few introductory words. This will be followed by a guest lecture by Prof. Dr. Anniko Hanak (University of Zurich) on The New Faces of Bias in Online Platforms.

#SiemensStudentTechTalk "Cybersecurity"

11 November 2020, 11:00 - 12:00 CET, online

Smart Infrastructure: The dangers of our digital world - and how to tackle them. This new format is a (virtual) "open door" for early Digital-Tech-Talents. Get in contact, meet experts in the technology fields of Siemens and learn more about how it feels to work there!

Seeing through Forest

04 November 2020, 16:00, Zoom

Talk by Univ.-Prof. Oliver Bimber, JKU Linz.

GIT Introduction

02 November, 18:00, YouTube
03 November, 18:00, YouTube
04 November, 18:00, YouTube

A simple introduction to the toolbox GIT, which should especially help students of the first semester, by Stefan Pranger.

EIT Health Innovation Days Austria

28 October - 04 November, online

A digital hackathon that enables participants to help develop innovative solutions in the health sector, win prize money and establish contacts in the start-up scene and industry. In addition, the students are accompanied in mentoring sessions and can conclude the time with a certificate.

CSBME Faculty Day 2020

19 October 2020, 13:00 - 18:30, TUbe Stream

13:00 Inaugural Lecture by Prof. Eduardo Veas
14:15 Award Ceremony for the Silver Diplomas of Telematics
16:15 Award Ceremony for the Dean's List 2020
17:30 Inaugural Lecture by Prof. Leila Taher

Life Improvement Science and Goal Setting Apps

13 October 2020, 13:00, WebEx

Talk by Falk Lieder, Max Planck Research Group Leader of Rationality Enhancement.

Meeting Point Dissertation

29 September 2020, 9:30 - 11:30 am, HS II (Campus Alte Technik)

Event for people who are working on their dissertation at TU Graz and all those who are interested. In person for a limited number of participants, register until 27 September here.

Foundations of Artificial Intelligence (Constraint Satisfaction Problems)

29 September 2020, 13:00 - 14:00, HS i5

We are pleased to invite you to the trial lecture in the habilitation procedure of Dr. Simos.

ISMIS 2020 – 26th International Symposium on Methodologies for Intelligent Systems

23 - 25 September 2020, Online

The ISMIS 2020 conference is organized by the institute of Software Technology (IST).

There will be a special issue of the Journal of Intelligent Information Systems (published by Springer) that will include the best papers (extended versions) of the conference.

Colleagues working on AI-related topics are encouraged to submit a paper!

Registration and info here

LogicLounge with Cory Doctorow – Working as Inteded: Surveillance Capitalism is not a Rogue Capitalism

21 July 2020, 17:00, online (admission free)

18th public discussion in the series LogicLounge, part of the 32nd CAV 2020.

Digital TU Graz Marketplace Barcamp – Co-Creation and Innovation in Administration and Education

01 July 2020, 16:00 - 19:00, BMTEG038, Stremayrgasse 16, 8010 Graz and online

The programme is developed on site and each participant is allowed and encouraged to stimulate contents and discussions on the two topics "Technology-Enhanced Administration" (TEA) and "Technology-Enhanced Learning" (TEL) at TU Graz. Registration required: marketplace.lltnoSpam@tugraz.at. Offline places limited!

9th Summer School on Biomechanical Modeling, Simulation and Experimental Methods: From Cells to Organs

[CANCELED] 29 June - 03 July 2020 | TU Graz

The Summer School is addressed to PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in biomedical engineering,biophysics,mechanical and civil engineering, applied mathematicsand mechanics, materials science and physiology and more senior scientists and engineers (including some from relevant industries)whose interests are in the area of biomechanicsand mechanobiology of proteins, soft tissues and organs.

STS Conference Graz 2020

[CANCELED] 04 - 06 May 2020 | Graz

The STS Conference Graz is the joint Annual Conference of the Science, Technology and Society Unit - Graz University of Technology, the Inter-Disciplinary Research Centre for Technology, Work and Culture (IFZ) and the Institute of Advanced Studies on Science, Technology and Society (IAS-STS).

Carsten Baum: Efficient Designated-Verifier Zero-Knowledge and Cheese Puns

CS Talks #9: Eva Galperin: Who Deserves Cybersecurity?

Tech talk: Development of hand-gesture (camera based) apps (guest lecture by Huawei)

Jaan Raik: HW-based monitoring and mitigation of cache SCAs

Tyge Tiessen: A formal analysis of boomerang probabilities

Virtual Open Lab Night 2022

The Formalization and Representation of Expert Knowledge with Visual Analytics to Improve Product Quality in Serial Manufacturing Processes

Matchmaking Encryption

SAFEST project - a Hardware Security network

Computer science education in Bavaria: reacting to the challenges of digitization

International Days 2021

CSBME Faculty Day 2020

B0 Matters: The Need for MR Quantitative Methods, Example of QSM and Fast Relaxometric Mapping

[CANCELED] How Robots See – CS Talks #5

Route 63 Info Event for Students

Supporting User Control for Diverse Item Recommendations

Inaugural Lecture

Data Management for Data Science - From Database Systems to Machine Learning Systems and Back

Carsten Baum:
Efficient Designated-Verifier Zero-Knowledge and Cheese Puns

CS Talks #9:
Eva Galperin: Who Deserves Cybersecurity?

Tech talk:
Development of hand-gesture (camera based) apps (guest lecture by Huawei)

Jaan Raik:
HW-based monitoring and mitigation of cache SCAs

Tyge Tiessen:
A formal analysis of boomerang probabilities