Focusing more on basic research than applied research

 By contrast, Scassellati said the department has been focusing more on basic research than applied research and should first try to make up its deficit.

But Zhong said he feels that there is a misconception that basic and applied research fall into separate categories. All computer science research the Yale faculty do is both foundational and useful to solve real-world problems, he said. Much of the department’s strength is its cross-cutting initiatives, six professors said.

Scassellati works on research on recycling with the School of the Environment and on how artificial intelligence is shaping education with the philosophy department. The research has become particularly important with the current reliance on distance learning, he said.

how hard is computer science said that the University has a unique opportunity for collaboration with other departments, as many students studying AI and computing technologies are interested in fields beyond computer science as well.