Gautam Kamath
@gautamkamath.com
Assistant Prof of CS at the University of Waterloo, Faculty and Canada CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute. Joining NYU Courant in September 2026. Co-EiC of TMLR. My group is The Salon. Privacy, robustness, machine learning.
http://www.gautamkamath.com
http://www.gautamkamath.com
The last invited talk next Friday at #AAAI2026 will be Katerina Fragkiadaki (CMU) titled "Learning World Simulators from Data." It'll be Friday, January 23 at 5:35 PM! CC @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 4:31 PM
The last invited talk next Friday at #AAAI2026 will be Katerina Fragkiadaki (CMU) titled "Learning World Simulators from Data." It'll be Friday, January 23 at 5:35 PM! CC @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
Another invited talk at #AAAI2026 will be Yolanda Gil (USC), titled "From Workflows to Water Coolers: AI That Can Navigate Human Nature."
Check it out Friday, January 23 at 2 PM! CC @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
Check it out Friday, January 23 at 2 PM! CC @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
January 12, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Another invited talk at #AAAI2026 will be Yolanda Gil (USC), titled "From Workflows to Water Coolers: AI That Can Navigate Human Nature."
Check it out Friday, January 23 at 2 PM! CC @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
Check it out Friday, January 23 at 2 PM! CC @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
Reposted by Gautam Kamath
Announcing the #ICML2026 policy for self-ranking in reviews!
1. Authors rank their submissions
2. Reviews are submitted
3. The "Isotonic Mechanism" is run on rankings and review scores
4. Large discrepancies are flagged to ACs and SAC
CC @wjsu.bsky.social
Post: blog.icml.cc/2026/01/12/i...
1. Authors rank their submissions
2. Reviews are submitted
3. The "Isotonic Mechanism" is run on rankings and review scores
4. Large discrepancies are flagged to ACs and SAC
CC @wjsu.bsky.social
Post: blog.icml.cc/2026/01/12/i...
January 12, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Announcing the #ICML2026 policy for self-ranking in reviews!
1. Authors rank their submissions
2. Reviews are submitted
3. The "Isotonic Mechanism" is run on rankings and review scores
4. Large discrepancies are flagged to ACs and SAC
CC @wjsu.bsky.social
Post: blog.icml.cc/2026/01/12/i...
1. Authors rank their submissions
2. Reviews are submitted
3. The "Isotonic Mechanism" is run on rankings and review scores
4. Large discrepancies are flagged to ACs and SAC
CC @wjsu.bsky.social
Post: blog.icml.cc/2026/01/12/i...
Across the pond this week -- visiting NYU (London!) for a joint workshop with researchers from Oxford. Will also be giving a talk at ICL on Thursday. Drop by if you're around!
January 12, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Across the pond this week -- visiting NYU (London!) for a joint workshop with researchers from Oxford. Will also be giving a talk at ICL on Thursday. Drop by if you're around!
The third invited talk at #AAAI2026 will be by Daniel Whiteson (@danielwhiteson.bsky.social, UC Irvine)!
His talk is titled "Fundamental Physics and Science Communication." Check it out at 8:30 AM on Friday, January 23 @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
His talk is titled "Fundamental Physics and Science Communication." Check it out at 8:30 AM on Friday, January 23 @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
January 9, 2026 at 4:48 PM
The third invited talk at #AAAI2026 will be by Daniel Whiteson (@danielwhiteson.bsky.social, UC Irvine)!
His talk is titled "Fundamental Physics and Science Communication." Check it out at 8:30 AM on Friday, January 23 @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
His talk is titled "Fundamental Physics and Science Communication." Check it out at 8:30 AM on Friday, January 23 @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
Reposted by Gautam Kamath
New blog post (on a shiny new ICML blog!): What's New in #ICML2026 Peer Review
Some highlights:
- Policies to combat thinly sliced contributions
- Cascading desk rejections for peer-review abuse
- Reviewer reciprocity
- New ways to support authors and reviewers
Post: blog.icml.cc/2026/01/08/w...
Some highlights:
- Policies to combat thinly sliced contributions
- Cascading desk rejections for peer-review abuse
- Reviewer reciprocity
- New ways to support authors and reviewers
Post: blog.icml.cc/2026/01/08/w...
January 8, 2026 at 5:26 PM
New blog post (on a shiny new ICML blog!): What's New in #ICML2026 Peer Review
Some highlights:
- Policies to combat thinly sliced contributions
- Cascading desk rejections for peer-review abuse
- Reviewer reciprocity
- New ways to support authors and reviewers
Post: blog.icml.cc/2026/01/08/w...
Some highlights:
- Policies to combat thinly sliced contributions
- Cascading desk rejections for peer-review abuse
- Reviewer reciprocity
- New ways to support authors and reviewers
Post: blog.icml.cc/2026/01/08/w...
The second invited talk at #AAAI2026 will be by Bowen Zhou (Shanghai AI Lab, Tsinghua University)!
His talk is titled "Specialized Generalist: Towards High-Efficiency AGI." Check it out at 5:35PM on Thursday, January 22 @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
His talk is titled "Specialized Generalist: Towards High-Efficiency AGI." Check it out at 5:35PM on Thursday, January 22 @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
January 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The second invited talk at #AAAI2026 will be by Bowen Zhou (Shanghai AI Lab, Tsinghua University)!
His talk is titled "Specialized Generalist: Towards High-Efficiency AGI." Check it out at 5:35PM on Thursday, January 22 @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
His talk is titled "Specialized Generalist: Towards High-Efficiency AGI." Check it out at 5:35PM on Thursday, January 22 @aaai.org @hadihoss.bsky.social
Reposted by Gautam Kamath
I wrote up a little blog post proposing a slightly different way to write asymptotic notation. www.solipsistslog.com/a-simple-and...
In short, I think asymptotic notation should usually be written with an INequality. E.g., f(n) <= O(n^2), f(n) < o(log n), f(n) > 2^{-o(n)}, f(n) >= n^{-O(1)}, etc.
In short, I think asymptotic notation should usually be written with an INequality. E.g., f(n) <= O(n^2), f(n) < o(log n), f(n) > 2^{-o(n)}, f(n) >= n^{-O(1)}, etc.
A simple and modest proposal for improving asymptotic notation | Solipsist's Log
www.solipsistslog.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:32 PM
I wrote up a little blog post proposing a slightly different way to write asymptotic notation. www.solipsistslog.com/a-simple-and...
In short, I think asymptotic notation should usually be written with an INequality. E.g., f(n) <= O(n^2), f(n) < o(log n), f(n) > 2^{-o(n)}, f(n) >= n^{-O(1)}, etc.
In short, I think asymptotic notation should usually be written with an INequality. E.g., f(n) <= O(n^2), f(n) < o(log n), f(n) > 2^{-o(n)}, f(n) >= n^{-O(1)}, etc.
Reposted by Gautam Kamath
We introduce epiplexity, a new measure of information that provides a foundation for how to select, generate, or transform data for learning systems. We have been working on this for almost 2 years, and I cannot contain my excitement! arxiv.org/abs/2601.03220 1/7
January 7, 2026 at 5:28 PM
We introduce epiplexity, a new measure of information that provides a foundation for how to select, generate, or transform data for learning systems. We have been working on this for almost 2 years, and I cannot contain my excitement! arxiv.org/abs/2601.03220 1/7
Reposted by Gautam Kamath
Following our previous #ICML2026 call for tutorial topics, we now welcome tutorial proposals!
📆Deadline: February 6, but proposals will be reviewed as they arrive
Courtesy the tutorial chairs Claire Vernade (@claireve.bsky.social) and Adam White
📆Deadline: February 6, but proposals will be reviewed as they arrive
Courtesy the tutorial chairs Claire Vernade (@claireve.bsky.social) and Adam White
January 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Following our previous #ICML2026 call for tutorial topics, we now welcome tutorial proposals!
📆Deadline: February 6, but proposals will be reviewed as they arrive
Courtesy the tutorial chairs Claire Vernade (@claireve.bsky.social) and Adam White
📆Deadline: February 6, but proposals will be reviewed as they arrive
Courtesy the tutorial chairs Claire Vernade (@claireve.bsky.social) and Adam White
If you are a senior researcher (i.e., associate prof level or later), and you're interested in moving to the University of Waterloo (best CS program in Canada) for the Canada Impact+ Research Chair (biggest chair position in Canada, $$$$$), email me. Discretion guaranteed.
January 6, 2026 at 3:26 PM
If you are a senior researcher (i.e., associate prof level or later), and you're interested in moving to the University of Waterloo (best CS program in Canada) for the Canada Impact+ Research Chair (biggest chair position in Canada, $$$$$), email me. Discretion guaranteed.
Reposted by Gautam Kamath
With a new year comes a new Editor-in-Chief! Please give a warm welcome to Laurent Charlin (HEC Montréal and Mila)!
He rounds out the team with Gautam Kamath, Naila Murray, and Nihar Shah to help lead TMLR through 2026.
He rounds out the team with Gautam Kamath, Naila Murray, and Nihar Shah to help lead TMLR through 2026.
January 5, 2026 at 4:39 PM
With a new year comes a new Editor-in-Chief! Please give a warm welcome to Laurent Charlin (HEC Montréal and Mila)!
He rounds out the team with Gautam Kamath, Naila Murray, and Nihar Shah to help lead TMLR through 2026.
He rounds out the team with Gautam Kamath, Naila Murray, and Nihar Shah to help lead TMLR through 2026.
Reposted by Gautam Kamath
The end of 2025 marks the end of Hugo Larochelle's term as (Founding co-) Editor-in-chief of TMLR. It is an understatement to say that he was indispensable to making TMLR what it is today. Huge thanks to
Hugo for everything he's done!
Hugo for everything he's done!
January 2, 2026 at 3:27 PM
The end of 2025 marks the end of Hugo Larochelle's term as (Founding co-) Editor-in-chief of TMLR. It is an understatement to say that he was indispensable to making TMLR what it is today. Huge thanks to
Hugo for everything he's done!
Hugo for everything he's done!
Some may remember this ACM guidance on inclusive terminology. E.g., as advocated by an anon ICLR reviewer, it recommends against the technical term Byzantine.
It was recently updated, and suggests avoiding "binary classification" and "stable marriage" (incorrectly defined)
It was recently updated, and suggests avoiding "binary classification" and "stable marriage" (incorrectly defined)
December 28, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Some may remember this ACM guidance on inclusive terminology. E.g., as advocated by an anon ICLR reviewer, it recommends against the technical term Byzantine.
It was recently updated, and suggests avoiding "binary classification" and "stable marriage" (incorrectly defined)
It was recently updated, and suggests avoiding "binary classification" and "stable marriage" (incorrectly defined)
Reposted by Gautam Kamath
The list of accepted papers at the Algorithmic Learning Theory Conference, a.k.a. #ALT2026, is out! h/t @thejonullman.bsky.social (PC chair).
algorithmiclearningtheory.org/alt2026/acce...
"ALT: topics so hot, it has to be held in Canada in February"
algorithmiclearningtheory.org/alt2026/acce...
"ALT: topics so hot, it has to be held in Canada in February"
Accepted Papers | ALT 2026
algorithmiclearningtheory.org
December 21, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The list of accepted papers at the Algorithmic Learning Theory Conference, a.k.a. #ALT2026, is out! h/t @thejonullman.bsky.social (PC chair).
algorithmiclearningtheory.org/alt2026/acce...
"ALT: topics so hot, it has to be held in Canada in February"
algorithmiclearningtheory.org/alt2026/acce...
"ALT: topics so hot, it has to be held in Canada in February"
If people are so hungry for an ML researcher with a Google affiliation making progress on a long standing open problem in math, check out Justin Gilmer's result on the union-closed sets conjecture from 2022
www.quantamagazine.org/long-out-of-...
www.quantamagazine.org/long-out-of-...
Long Out of Math, an AI Programmer Cracks a Pure Math Problem | Quanta Magazine
On nights and weekends, Justin Gilmer attacked an old question in pure math using the tools of information theory.
www.quantamagazine.org
December 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
If people are so hungry for an ML researcher with a Google affiliation making progress on a long standing open problem in math, check out Justin Gilmer's result on the union-closed sets conjecture from 2022
www.quantamagazine.org/long-out-of-...
www.quantamagazine.org/long-out-of-...
This is not how mathematics works. For centuries, claiming a result obligates you to defend it. The bigger the claimed result, the larger the obligation.
This is particularly true in the era of AI models, where claiming a result is essentially free, but verifying is expensive
This is particularly true in the era of AI models, where claiming a result is essentially free, but verifying is expensive
December 22, 2025 at 7:02 PM
This is not how mathematics works. For centuries, claiming a result obligates you to defend it. The bigger the claimed result, the larger the obligation.
This is particularly true in the era of AI models, where claiming a result is essentially free, but verifying is expensive
This is particularly true in the era of AI models, where claiming a result is essentially free, but verifying is expensive
If you have a permanent job due to publishing in ML, you owe OpenReview a lot.
Please consider donating -- feel free to share donations below!
If you work in tech (e.g., MS, Google, etc.), your employer may match donations. We donated through my wife at Microsoft.
openreview.net/donate
Please consider donating -- feel free to share donations below!
If you work in tech (e.g., MS, Google, etc.), your employer may match donations. We donated through my wife at Microsoft.
openreview.net/donate
December 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
If you have a permanent job due to publishing in ML, you owe OpenReview a lot.
Please consider donating -- feel free to share donations below!
If you work in tech (e.g., MS, Google, etc.), your employer may match donations. We donated through my wife at Microsoft.
openreview.net/donate
Please consider donating -- feel free to share donations below!
If you work in tech (e.g., MS, Google, etc.), your employer may match donations. We donated through my wife at Microsoft.
openreview.net/donate
I'd be a proud dad too
(Spotted on a blackboard at UWaterloo)
(Spotted on a blackboard at UWaterloo)
December 17, 2025 at 7:56 PM
I'd be a proud dad too
(Spotted on a blackboard at UWaterloo)
(Spotted on a blackboard at UWaterloo)
Reposted by Gautam Kamath
Supporting public and open infrastructure is fantastic. Well done @icmlconf.bsky.social for supporting OpenReview
One of my core beliefs is that community is SO SO SO important. I might go as far to say that it's the only thing that matters, everything else positive is downstream.
That's why I'm proud that, in times of crisis, so many of our community members & institutions have stepped up
That's why I'm proud that, in times of crisis, so many of our community members & institutions have stepped up
ICML reaffirms its support to the community and standards of conduct:
- We do not tolerate harassment or other improper conduct;
- Academic integrity is paramount;
- We redouble our support to peer review, with more incentives for reviewers & financial support for OpenReview
icml.cc/public/blog#...
- We do not tolerate harassment or other improper conduct;
- Academic integrity is paramount;
- We redouble our support to peer review, with more incentives for reviewers & financial support for OpenReview
icml.cc/public/blog#...
December 16, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Supporting public and open infrastructure is fantastic. Well done @icmlconf.bsky.social for supporting OpenReview
One of my core beliefs is that community is SO SO SO important. I might go as far to say that it's the only thing that matters, everything else positive is downstream.
That's why I'm proud that, in times of crisis, so many of our community members & institutions have stepped up
That's why I'm proud that, in times of crisis, so many of our community members & institutions have stepped up
ICML reaffirms its support to the community and standards of conduct:
- We do not tolerate harassment or other improper conduct;
- Academic integrity is paramount;
- We redouble our support to peer review, with more incentives for reviewers & financial support for OpenReview
icml.cc/public/blog#...
- We do not tolerate harassment or other improper conduct;
- Academic integrity is paramount;
- We redouble our support to peer review, with more incentives for reviewers & financial support for OpenReview
icml.cc/public/blog#...
December 16, 2025 at 7:48 PM
One of my core beliefs is that community is SO SO SO important. I might go as far to say that it's the only thing that matters, everything else positive is downstream.
That's why I'm proud that, in times of crisis, so many of our community members & institutions have stepped up
That's why I'm proud that, in times of crisis, so many of our community members & institutions have stepped up
Reposted by Gautam Kamath
ICML reaffirms its support to the community and standards of conduct:
- We do not tolerate harassment or other improper conduct;
- Academic integrity is paramount;
- We redouble our support to peer review, with more incentives for reviewers & financial support for OpenReview
icml.cc/public/blog#...
- We do not tolerate harassment or other improper conduct;
- Academic integrity is paramount;
- We redouble our support to peer review, with more incentives for reviewers & financial support for OpenReview
icml.cc/public/blog#...
December 16, 2025 at 7:43 PM
ICML reaffirms its support to the community and standards of conduct:
- We do not tolerate harassment or other improper conduct;
- Academic integrity is paramount;
- We redouble our support to peer review, with more incentives for reviewers & financial support for OpenReview
icml.cc/public/blog#...
- We do not tolerate harassment or other improper conduct;
- Academic integrity is paramount;
- We redouble our support to peer review, with more incentives for reviewers & financial support for OpenReview
icml.cc/public/blog#...
Reposted by Gautam Kamath
📢 Announcing the dates for #ICML2026 in Seoul! 🇰🇷
July 6th - 11th, 2026 (Monday through Saturday)
📆 Mark your calendar!
✈️ Book your flights!
😅 ...Start stressing about the deadline!
July 6th - 11th, 2026 (Monday through Saturday)
📆 Mark your calendar!
✈️ Book your flights!
😅 ...Start stressing about the deadline!
December 15, 2025 at 6:46 PM
📢 Announcing the dates for #ICML2026 in Seoul! 🇰🇷
July 6th - 11th, 2026 (Monday through Saturday)
📆 Mark your calendar!
✈️ Book your flights!
😅 ...Start stressing about the deadline!
July 6th - 11th, 2026 (Monday through Saturday)
📆 Mark your calendar!
✈️ Book your flights!
😅 ...Start stressing about the deadline!
Reposted by Gautam Kamath
📢 #FOCS2026 will be held in NewYork City, USA!
Nov 8–11, 2026 at NYU (colocated with TCC)
General Chair: Marshall Ball
PC Chair: Sanjeev Khanna (Co-Chair: Sepehr Assadi)
Nov 8–11, 2026 at NYU (colocated with TCC)
General Chair: Marshall Ball
PC Chair: Sanjeev Khanna (Co-Chair: Sepehr Assadi)
December 15, 2025 at 7:43 AM
📢 #FOCS2026 will be held in NewYork City, USA!
Nov 8–11, 2026 at NYU (colocated with TCC)
General Chair: Marshall Ball
PC Chair: Sanjeev Khanna (Co-Chair: Sepehr Assadi)
Nov 8–11, 2026 at NYU (colocated with TCC)
General Chair: Marshall Ball
PC Chair: Sanjeev Khanna (Co-Chair: Sepehr Assadi)