Keynotes
Prof. Pradeep Atrey
Day 1 – Keynote Adress
AI Behind the Cipher: Multimedia Intelligence in Encrypted Spaces
25th of April 2025, 17:00 – 18:00 IST
We consider blockchains and other decentralised systems from a performance and dependability engineering perspective. The presentation builds on several keynotes delivered in recent years by the author, which consider blockchain performance engineering in the system layer, the consensus layer and the incentives layer, respectively. In this keynote we provide an overall view on model-based performance and dependability analysis and on the software tools that support such modelling. We also discuss in some more detail the BlockSim simulation tool, recent model-based analysis results for the Verifier’s Dilemma and concerns for other emerging decentralised and distributed systems, including those for federated learning.
Bio:
Prof. Pradeep K. Atrey is an Associate Professor and the Undergraduate Program Director for Computer Science at the University at Albany, State University of New York. He also co-directs the Albany Lab for Privacy and Security (ALPS). Dr. Atrey holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the National University of Singapore and completed his postdoctoral research at the Multimedia Communications Research Laboratory, University of Ottawa. Driven by the philosophy of ‘Science in Service to Society,’ his current research centers on creating innovative AI-powered solutions to strengthen security, privacy, trust, and fairness for individuals. He has authored over 150 papers in leading journals and conferences, including ACM, IEEE, and Springer, with funding support from organizations such as New York State, NSERC, DFAIT, and the Government of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Atrey serves on the editorial boards of several prestigious journals, including ACM TOMM, IEEE Transactions on Multimedia, and Elsevier’s Image Communication Journal. Among his honors, he has served as Program Co-chair of the ACM Multimedia Conference (2023) and received awards such as the Best Area Editor for Image Communication Journal (2022), ACM TOMM Associate Editor of the Year (2015), the Erica and Arnold Rogers Award for Excellence in Research (2014), and the ACM Multimedia Rising Star Award (2015).
Prof. Yuksel Celik
Day 2 Keynote Adress
Large Language Models in AI
26th April 2025, 17:00 – 18:00 IST
We consider blockchains and other decentralised systems from a performance and dependability engineering perspective. The presentation builds on several keynotes delivered in recent years by the author, which consider blockchain performance engineering in the system layer, the consensus layer and the incentives layer, respectively. In this keynote we provide an overall view on model-based performance and dependability analysis and on the software tools that support such modelling. We also discuss in some more detail the BlockSim simulation tool, recent model-based analysis results for the Verifier’s Dilemma and concerns for other emerging decentralised and distributed systems, including those for federated learning.
Bio:
Dr. Yuksel Celik is an esteemed Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at Karabuk University, Turkey, and a Visiting Research Scholar at the University at Albany. With a robust educational background, including a PhD in Computer Engineering from Selcuk University, Turkey, and postdoctoral research in Information Security and Digital Forensics at the University at Albany, SUNY, his expertise spans artificial intelligence, cyber security, and optimization algorithms. Dr. Celik has an impressive portfolio of research, evidenced by his publications in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, European Food Research and Technology, and Computers & Security, Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, Signal, Image and Video Processing. He has led groundbreaking projects in deep learning applications across healthcare, genomics, and agriculture, significantly contributing to early disease diagnosis, precision medicine, and agricultural productivity enhancement. His work on cyber security solutions using AI methods has set new benchmarks in the field. Dr. Celik’s dedication to advancing knowledge is further demonstrated by his role in mentoring PhD and master’s candidates, directing impactful theses that leverage AI for solving complex problems. His receipt of significant grants, including from the European Union’s Erasmus+ program, underscores his leadership in cutting-edge research projects. A committed educator, Dr. Celik imparts his vast knowledge through courses on internet-based programming, data structures, computer security, and mobile application development, among others. His proficiency in a wide range of programming languages and technologies, from Python and Java to PHP frameworks, positions him as a leading figure in computer engineering education and research. Dr. Celik is a Senior member of IEEE.
Details for Workshop Speakers
Prof. Sanjay Goel
Workshop 1: AI for Business
Day 2 (26th April 2025), 15:00 – 16:30 IST
Bio:
Prof. Sanjay Goel is the Massry Professor and Chair of the Information Security and Digital Forensics Department in the School of Business, University at Albany, SUNY. He got his doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic University. Prior to joining UAlbany he worked at GE Global Research on engineering optimization problems, focusing on aircraft engine component design. His research interests include behavioral cyber security, cyber deception, Artificial Intelligence (intrusion detection, assistive technologies), self-organization, complex systems, cyber risk management, and optimization. He won the Promising Inventor’s Award in 2005 from the SUNY Research Foundation. In 2006, he was awarded the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the UAlbany Excellence in Teaching Award, and the Graduate Student Organization Award for Faculty Mentoring. In 2010 he was awarded the UAlbany Excellence in Research Award. In 2015, he was also awarded the SUNY Chancellors’ Excellence in Academic Service, UAlbany Presidents’ Excellence in University Service, and School of Business Excellence in Research Award. He was named one of the three AT&T Industrial Ecology Faculty Fellows for 2009-2010. He has received grant funding of over 15 million dollars from various sources including, National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, Region II University Transportation Research Center, New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA), AT&T Foundation and James S. McDonnell Foundation., Blackstone Foundation, National Security Agency. He is the director of Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics programs in the School of Business at the University at Albany. He has established the Blackstone Launchpad Center to foster entrepreneurship and the FACETS Cyber Security Center at the University.
Prof. Shuchi Sinha
Workshop 2: The Behavioral Implications of Generative AI
Day 3 (27th April 2025), 10:00 – 11:30 IST
Bio:
Prof. Shuchi Sinha is an Associate Professor at the Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. She completed her PhD from Royal Holloway, University of London and has taught and researched in the United Kingdom (UK) and India. Previously, she has also worked as a post-doctoral research fellow with the National Health Service (NHS) South West Strategic Health Authority, UK. Her research interests span counterproductive work behaviours, future of work, proactive work behaviours, and well-being at work. Her research has been published in international journals of repute such as the Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of Business Research, Organizational Dynamics, Human Performance, Culture and Organization, among others. She has completed several consulting and multi-year research projects, and delivered invited sessions for prestigious organizations in India. She received the award for ‘Excellence in Teaching’ at IIT Delhi in 2022.
Smridhi Saluja
Workshop 2: The Behavioral Implications of Generative AI
Day 3 (27th April 2025), 10:00 – 11:30 IST
Bio:
Smridhi Saluja is a doctoral scholar at the Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, specializing in the Human Resource Management & Organizational Behavior area. She completed her Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) from Shri Ram College of Commerce and her Master of Commerce from Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi. Her research interests include the usage and implications of Generative AI at work. She has presented her work at various conferences, like the Annual Symposium on Information Assurance, and the India Conference on Information Systems (INCIS). Her work has been published in the Organizational Dynamics journal.
Prof. Agam Gupta
Workshop 3: Using Generative AI for Research
Day 3 (27th April 2025), 11:45 – 1:15 IST
Bio:
Prof. Agam Gupta is Associate Professor at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India. Prior to joining IIT Delhi he was Assistant Professor at IIM Rohtak and IIM Trichy. He is a fellow of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta. His areas of research are at the interface of technology and society and studies how technology facilitates new business models. He also likes to study the implications of technology adoption in the context of emerging economies specifically focusing on digital platforms. At IIT Delhi he teaches courses on Digital Transformation, Business Intelligence, and Data Visualization and has been a recipient of teaching excellence award at IIT Delhi. He has consulted for various national and International private and public organizations. He has done research cum consulting projects for international firms like BASF and Racing Unleashed on Machine Learning and consulted various public organizations like ASI, NSDC, CSC, and ASI. He was an advisor to the Zonal Training Office of RBI New Delhi from 2020-2023 and is currently external expert to Punjab National Bank for FinTech projects.
Zaid Bin Ahsan
Workshop 3: Using Generative AI for Research
Day 3 (27th April 2025), 11:45 – 1:15 IST
Bio:
Zaid Bin Ahsan is a research scholar at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, specializing in the area of Information Systems Management. His research interests are play-to-earn games, Web 3.0 platforms, virtual tokens, cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens and decentralization within platforms. He publications include research articles in the Journal of Consumer Behaviour, Journal of Global Information Management, and a few more peer reviewed book chapters. His work has been recognized with the Best Practical Relevance Award at the Symplatform Conference in Lecco, Italy, and the Outstanding Reviewer Award at the First India Conference for Information Systems. His prior research work includes working as a Research Assistant for an Indian Council of Medical Research Project. He holds an MBA, MA in Political Science and a BTech in Computer Science and Engineering.
