Tuesday 12:00-1:00 EDT, April 22, 2025 live stream via Zoom: Registration requiredAbstract:Transformers are the dominant architecture for language modeling (and generative AI more broadly). The attention mechanism in Transformers is considered core to the architecture and enables accurate sequence modeling at scale. However, the complexity of attention is quadratic in input length, which makes it difficult to apply Transformers to model long sequences. Moreover, Transformers have theoretical limitations when it comes to the class of problems it can solve, which prevents their being able to model certain kinds of phenomena such as state tracking. This talk will describe some recent work on efficient alternatives to Transformers which can overcome these limitations.Bio:Yoon Kim is an assistant professor at MIT EECS and a principal investigator at CSAIL, where he works on natural language processing and machine learning. He obtained his Ph.D. in computer science from Harvard University.

"The Right Problem to Solve" with Christine Taylor-ButlerAbout the presentation: A recent survey shows the US ranks 36th in global literacy. While serving on MIT's Educational Council, Christine saw a growing number of urban and rural students entering 12th grade without the appropriate skills. She wondered: what if you took literacy and STEAM concepts and embedded them in an epic adventure? And what if the characters were different than those seen in traditional literature? Ten years later, the Lost Tribes was published. The first books were used during an MIT summer middle school program. In addition, one librarian reported a student whose reading score doubled. Come learn how an MIT engineer switched gears mid-career to help grow a new generation of independent readers.Christine is completing her second year as an MLK Scholar sponsored by the Department of Anthropology.This event is hybrid. Please choose your ticket accordingly.We are committed to making this event fully accessible to everyone who wants to attend. Please let us know if there is anything you need to participate fully in this event by e-mailing vulfp@mit.edu.Photographs and/or videos may be taken at this event.By entering and attending this event, you acknowledge and agree that your likeness and/or voice may be included in photos and videos of the event and used by MIT in connection with communications about the Institute Community and Equity Office or in other MIT communications.If you do not agree to this usage, please notify the event organizer or do not enter the event.

Have some fun(nel) on a tunnel or sun(nel) walk! Join us for a 30-minute volunteer-led walk either through MIT’s famous tunnel system or around Killian Court. As the weather gets warmer, walk leaders may choose to take the group outside. Is the weather warm and you missed the start? Find the group on Killian Court and join in!Sun(nel) Walk Leaders will identify themselves by holding a white flag at the meeting location.Location details: Meet in the atrium by the staircase. [See image below]Prize Drawing: Attend a walk and scan a QR code from the walk leaders to be entered into a drawing for a getfit canvas boat tote bag at the end of the getfit challenge. The more walks you attend, the more entries you get. Winner will be drawn and notified at the end of April. Winner does not need to be a getfit participant.Disclaimer: Tunnel walks are led by volunteers. In the rare occasion when a volunteer isn’t able to make it, we will do our best to notify participants. In the event we are unable to notify participants and a walk leader does not show up, we encourage you to walk as much as you feel comfortable doing so. We recommend checking this calendar just before you head out.Getfit is a 12-week fitness challenge for the entire MIT community. These tunnel walks are open to the entire MIT community and you do not need to be a current getfit participant to join.

MIT Free English Class is for international students, sholars, spouses. Twenty seven years ago we created a community to welcome the nations to MIT and assist with language and friendship. Join our Tuesday/Thursday conversation classes around tables inside W11-190.

Join us for a rejuvenating 30-minute meditation session led by an experienced Buddhist monk.This weekly session is open to the MIT community and offers a peaceful break to manage stress, ease frustration, and enhance focus. By practicing mindfulness meditation, you'll not only boost your compassion, energy, and productivity but also connect with like-minded peers who share a passion for mental wellness. Sessions feature light meditation guidance and time for silent practice.Whether you're new to meditation or an experienced practitioner, this session provides a supportive space to cultivate inner peace and resilience. Don't miss this opportunity to recharge and foster a mindful community.

"The Impacts of Employee Recognition Programs on Workers and Firms: The Role of Managerial Discretion vs. Worker Voting" | Namrata Kala (MIT Sloan)