The Impact of Computer Science Research on Science, Technology, and Society

The field of computing is driven by scientific questions, technological innovation and societal demands. There is wonderful interplay—push and pull—among these three drivers. For example, accelerating technological advances and monumental societal demands force us to revisit the most basic scientific questions of computing. These drivers are also measures of the impact of computing research. In my talk I will give examples from Microsoft Research of our impact on science, technology, and society. I will close with pointers to new directions for computing research.