Negev Connection - Fall 2023

NEGEV CONNECTION

Table of Contents

New, ultra-modern computer science building set to become a “game changer” on BGU campus and beyond

Explore how this new facility will drive fast-paced global innovation in areas from artificial intelligence to computer vision.

Meet the machines ensuring a brighter future: How BGU researchers are fighting hot-button issues with artificial intelligence

From combating age-discrimination to enriching at-risk agriculture, explore how new technology is solving growing challenges.

Inside BGU’s cutting-edge laboratories

See how BGU is leading the way in “Data for Good,” suicide prevention, cyber security, and more — all with artificial intelligence.

An Israeli robot is solving an ancient puzzle in Pompeii

Explore how an artificial intelligence-powered program is reconstructing the past in extraordinary ways.

From Tokyo to New Jersey: International collaborations pursue powerful new cybersecurity and engineering solutions

Top brands — from Fujitsu and Lenovo to New Jersey Institute of Technology — are forging innovative partnerships with BGU.

Cover Photo: Intelligent Robotics Lab at BGU’s Marcus Family Campus in Beer-Sheva

A message from the CEO

Rosh

In this “lite” edition of Negev Connection, we are thrilled to share a series of articles that highlight the remarkable progress and contributions emerging from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU). It is with immense pride that we announce BGU’s forthcoming state-of-the-art Helmsley Computer Science Building, made possible by an extraordinary $18 million donation from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. This transformative grant will empower our university to continue its legacy of excellence in education and research, fostering innovation and technological advancement for generations to come.

Within these pages, you will discover how our brilliant BGU researchers are harnessing the

and resilient deployment. The laboratory stands as a testament to our dedication to shaping the future in ways that not only embrace innovation but also uphold the values that define our university.

As we embark on this journey of exploration and progress, I invite you to consider joining hands with us. Your support will play a pivotal role in driving our university’s mission forward. Your generosity can help turn dreams into reality, spark groundbreaking discoveries, and uplift communities far and wide. I encourage you to explore the ways in which you can contribute to Americans for Ben-Gurion University, allowing us to continue making a lasting impact on the world.

Join us in our mission to fulfill Ben-Gurion’s vision of Israel in the Negev by supporting the Ben-Gurion Annual Fund today. Visit www.americansforbgu.org/donate, mail a gift in the enclosed envelope, or call us at 800-962-2248.

I invite you to join us in celebrating the legacy of Israel’s first Prime Minister on Ben-Gurion Day in the USA (November 19th). Learn more and register for free at benguriondayusa.org.

Doug Seserman CEO of Americans for Ben-Gurion University

Hashanah is a time of reflection and renewal; may the sweetness of this season inspire us all to embrace the opportunities for growth and positive change that lie ahead.

Wishing you a new year filled with blessings, hope, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

New, ultra-modern computer science building set to become a “game changer” on BGU campus and beyond

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev will soon have a new state-of-the-art Computer Science Building, thanks to an $18 million donation from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

The structure will host advanced facilities for thousands of new students and provide expanded research opportunities within an unparalleled learning environment. Construction of the building began in June 2023 on Ben-Gurion University’s new North Campus in Beer-Sheva.

Describing the grant as “a game-changer for the University, the Negev and the State of Israel,” Prof. Daniel Chamovitz, Ben-Gurion University President, said that the new structure will be known as the Helmsley Computer Science Building. It will serve as “the cornerstone of the new North Campus and will enable many and varied collaborations with industry and the development of new technologies,” he added.

The new building is set to be the largest on the North Campus and will include a minimum of 60 offices and lab spaces for faculty members. The facility will also be specifically customized to the unique learning needs of its students with an ultra-modern Computer Science Student Center. The center will be equipped with screens, video conferencing, and other multimedia technology tools, and will serve over 2,000 students each year. It will also feature specific spaces for groups to work together and hold discussions, as well as quiet areas for independent learning.

FUELING THE TECH GIANT

The facility is vital not only to the university, but also to regional and national expertise in artificial intelligence, cyber security, and technology. For years now, Israel has been hailed as a cyber superpower in both the civilian and government sectors. Due to the abundance of startups in the country, as well as the international companies –such as IBM, Intel, and DELL – that have established new research and development centers, Israel’s world-leading expertise is growing rapidly.

To maintain that momentum, it is necessary for Israel to continue to fuel fast-paced innovation. According to a 2022 report by the Israeli

YOUNG BUT MIGHTY

The Computer Science Department is one of the university’s youngest departments – and, at the same time, its fastest-growing. At present, it is home to over 1,500 students and 45 faculty members whose research spans all areas of computer science, with particularly strong research groups in AI and intelligence systems, cybersecurity, and cryptography. Over the next decade, the Department of Computer Science is expected to increase its undergraduate numbers substantially, as well as almost double its number of research students and faculty.

The new building – which will cover approximately 90,000 square feet – will be one of the first academic facilities constructed on BGU’s new North Campus. It will be an essential learning base for Israel’s next generation of scientists as they undertake cutting-edge research in in-demand areas such as artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, data mining and distribution, computer vision, and computer graphics, among others.

The area around the North Campus is set to become its own unique district, a hub where academia intersects and collaborates with industry, government, and the military to contribute to the country’s leading cybersecurity expertise. The new Helmsley Computer Science Building, for example, will be located very

government’s High-Tech Human Capital Committee, the existing supply of skilled employees in the sector does not meet the demand – and there will be a shortage of over 100,000 employees by 2027 if this is not addressed. The shortage is also exacerbated by a “brain drain” of the country’s most talented technological minds, who often opt to pursue post-doctoral research abroad.

The cutting-edge facilities and resources of the Helmsley Computer Science Building will boost the university’s ability to compete for top talent on the global stage in order to keep, nurture, and advance scientific research in Israel.

close to the Advanced Technologies Park (ATP) – an integral component in the innovation ecosystem emerging in the Negev under BGU’s leadership. The ATP is a high-tech professional campus comprising 16 buildings, four of which are already home to over 80 companies and 3,000 engineers. With so much potential, it has quickly become one of the country’s key destinations for business and innovation – attracting multinationals and new startups, and fostering transformative research collaborations and student exchange programs with prestigious universities around the world.

In addition, an elite Israel Defense Forces (IDF) technology unit recently relocated to Beer-Sheva. The sprawling new IDF campus is located adjacent to the University, reinforcing the important and longstanding partnership between BGU and the IDF to safeguard Israel’s future. The new IDF campus houses technological units, Israeli Air Force units, and the headquarters of the military’s Southern Command, responsible for dealing with threats from Gaza.

This emerging “innovation ecosystem,” centered around BGU, has sparked remarkable local growth in the south of Israel and in the Negev, as well as increased investments in development and infrastructure.

INVESTING IN NEW IDEAS

The organization responsible for the $18 million grant – The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust – is named for the two American real estate magnates who left nearly all of their estate in its care. Today, it is a global philanthropic organization investing in new ideas and research in public health and scientific development, among other areas. Since 2012, Helmsley has supported BGU’s research efforts related to Crohn’s Disease and robotics with four prior grants totaling over $10 million.

“We are committed to supporting Israel’s standing as a world leader in technology and scientific breakthroughs,” said Sandor Frankel, a Helmsley Trustee. “With a new computer science building at Ben-Gurion University, students and faculty will be better able to advance the field of computer science for Israel, further increasing the caliber of the country’s workforce and its ability to lead the world in innovation.”

The New Helmsley Computer Science Building

• Set to be the largest building on the North Campus, at approximately 90,000 square feet

• Features the Computer Science Student Center, complete with multimedia technology, screens, videoconferencing, academic project areas, and more

• Facility will include seven floors, 40 labs, 100 research offices for faculty members, and an auditorium

• 2,000+ students will benefit from the new facilities each year

MEET THE MACHINES ENSURING A BRIGHTER FUTURE: How BGU researchers are fighting hot-button issues with artificial intelligence

Both in and beyond the classrooms, labs, and collaborative workspaces rising from the Negev, BGU researchers are making headlines for their vital technological innovations and experiments with artificial intelligence (AI).

Creating a brighter future for climate change-affected agriculture with AI

Experts from the US and Israel recently met in Beer-Sheva to address the issues facing traditional agriculture – including floods, fires, and extreme temperatures – and to develop AI- and analytics-powered improvement strategies.

“By integrating innovative technologies with AI, we have the potential to truly achieve sustainable agriculture, reduce the environmental footprint, and improve food security,” wrote event facilitator Dr. Tarin Paz-Kagan, a senior lecturer in BGU’s French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands.

Uncovering the origins of hate speech online

Dr. Oren Tsur, an expert on AI and senior lecturer in BGU’s Department of Software and Information Systems Engineering, is using AI to make the internet a safer space for communication and connection.

Dr. Tsur collaborates with sociologists and linguists to identify the language of hate speech. Then, his AI program scans the internet for its spread – working to determine if misinformation is planted deliberately or evolves naturally.

Eradicating AI biases in age-estimating technology

When psychologists pitted humans against the best AI tools that claim to estimate ages, they found something surprising: humans were more accurate almost every time. Rather than rising above inherent human biases, the AI programs actually replicated and exaggerated them, BGU Prof. Tzvi Ganel told The Times of Israel.

In BGU’s Laboratory for Visual Perception and Action, Prof. Ganel’s conclusions will improve ageestimating technology across a variety of situations, including determining who can enter age-restricted spaces or assessing the demographics of a crowd.

Combating hate and misinformation: Spotlight on The Center for the Study of Digital Politics and Strategy

At this interdisciplinary hub, sociologists, linguists, and AI experts from across BGU work together to understand the complex, interconnected threats of antisemitism, bias, and misinformation in:

• Election interference

• Hate speech

• Science denial

• Social media weaponization

• Propaganda

Inside BGU’s Cutting-Edge Laboratories

The AI and Data Science Lab

Run by Prof. Kobi Gal at both BGU and the University of Edinburgh, this lab creates technologies that interact with people – drawing on AI, social and cognitive psychology, game theory, and economics. Recent projects have included:

• Analyzing the emotions of college students based on emoji usage

• Predicting the risk of suicide among online counseling center callers

• Experimenting with badges and rewards to prompt online engagement and action

The David and Janet Polak Family Malware Lab

Step into four BGU labs that are driving advancements in AI and machine learning.

The David and Janet Polak Family National Artificial Intelligence Resilience Laboratory

Led by Prof. Yuval Elovici, Director of BGU’s Cyber Security Research Center, in partnership with Israel’s Cyber Bureau, this first-of-its-kind research and development lab is making Israel’s AI systems more resilient to attackers. Prof. Elovici and his team collaborate with academics, the Israeli government, and private corporations to protect Israel’s virtual borders, data, population, and economy.

Part of BGU’s Cyber Security Research Center, this lab focuses on developing artificial intelligence-based solutions for real-time and critical cyber security threats. Dr. Nir Nissim oversees a team defending smartphones, servers, cloud systems, medical devices, USB devices, and more from bugs, viruses, and ransomware. In the “infection room,” programmers purposely infect an isolated network of computers with malware to observe its effects in real-time.

The AI for Social Welfare Research Lab

Founded by Dr. Talia M. Schwartz-Tayri as part of the international “Data for Good” movement, scientists in this lab harness big data from public administrative systems to identify social, health, and environmental problems – from child and family welfare to end-of-life research – and establish new best practices and evidence-based policy.

An Israeli robot is solving an ancient puzzle in Pompeii

From the ruins of Pompeii, archaeologists have uncovered 15,000 precious fragments. Adorned with flora and fauna, they are the shards of frescoes destroyed by Vesuvius and later, World War II bombings. Reconstructing them has been a daunting, labor-intensive puzzle, and the fragments have mostly sat in warehouses – until now.

A new AI program called RePAIR, or Reconstructing the Past: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Meet Cultural Heritage, is on its way to restoring the frescoes to their full glory. Led by Prof. Ohad BenShahar of BGU’s Department of Computer Science and built by the university’s Interdisciplinary Computational Vision Lab, RePAIR is a collaboration with experts from Israel, Italy, Germany, and Portugal. Archaeologists scan the stones, and RePAIR gets to work calculating how the fragments might fit together. In the next phase of the project, RePAIR will animate robot arms and gently place the pieces into their proper arrangement.

As Prof. Ben-Shahar told Haaretz, “Our goal is to let the archaeologist return from the excavation site in the evening, toss all the fragments on the table, and the next morning receive the complete vessel after the robot has put it together overnight.”

SPOTLIGHTS ON BGU RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

FROM TOKYO TO NEW JERSEY:

International collaborations pursue powerful new cybersecurity and engineering solutions

As hackers employ more sophisticated tools that threaten the security of corporate, government, and consumer computing, the next generation of scientists and engineers is rising to meet the challenge – powered by BGU’s global partnerships.

Fujitsu Cybersecurity Center of Excellence celebrates its second anniversary

Tokyo powerhouse Fujitsu is one of the world’s largest information and communications technology corporations. In 2021, Fujitsu partnered with BGU to launch the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Beer-Sheva as part of the Advanced Technologies Park – a hub for researchers strengthening AI security to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.

Following its initial success, Fujitsu announced plans for a research and development center in Tel Aviv. Fujitsu Chief Technology Officer Vivek Mahajan told The Times of Israel that he hopes the new center will aid in “further deepening collaboration with Ben-Gurion University.”

New Jersey partnership will educate the next generation of engineers

Framed by the Manhattan skyline, BGU president Prof. Daniel Chamovitz cut the ribbon on the Institute for Future Technologies – a collaboration between BGU and the New Jersey Institute of Technology that offers Master’s and Ph.D. tracks in cyber technologies and environmental and civil engineering.

“By joining together in this groundbreaking venture, NJIT and BGU will combine their expertise and track records in technological research and development to help strengthen the economic opportunity and tech leadership that I have long envisioned for our state,” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy told the Jewish Standard.

Lenovo establishes BGU research center to counteract high-risk cybersecurity threats

At the newly-opened Cybersecurity Innovation Center, launched in partnership with Chinese computing giant Lenovo, cybersecurity professionals will research, monitor, and assess threats to corporate and government cybersecurity, in order to empower more strategic and effective responses.

“Ben-Gurion University is committed to maintaining its cybersecurity research leadership not just in Israel, but also globally, and to apply academic knowledge and research to real-world issues,” Head of Ben-Gurion University’s Cyber Security Research Center Prof. Yuval Elovici said in a press release. “We would like to welcome Lenovo as our new partner in this digital battle against cyber threats.”

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• The rates are for ages at the nearest birthday.

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*New for 2023: donors over the age of 70 1/2 can make tax-free Qualified Charitable Distributions from their IRAs of up to $50,000 in one calendar year in exchange for one or more charitable gift annuities. Contact us for more details.

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Together with the buildings surrounding it, the Beer-Sheva High-Tech Park Bridge, shaped like a DNA helix, embodies the present and the future of the Negev’s capital: Ben-Gurion University and the hi-tech park, both in the process of expanding, have completely transformed the city over the course of the years.

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