Network Effects in Algorithmic Game Theory

Speaker:	Ning CHEN
		Department of Computer Science & Engineering
		University of Washington

Title:		"Network Effects in Algorithmic Game Theory"

Date:		Monday, 21 April 2008

Time:		4:00pm - 5:00pm

Venue:		Lecture Theatre F
		(Leung Yat Sing Lecture Theatre, near lift nos. 25/26)
		HKUST

Abstract:

In recent years, there has been a great deal of interest in research at
the boundaries between algorithms, game theory and economics. This is
because many important computer science artifacts, such as the Internet
and the web, are deeply affected by cooperation and competition among
parties with different economic interests. Algorithms and protocols for
routing, resource allocation and electronic commerce, etc., need to be
rethought in light of these economic effects.

We consider one particular effect, network effects, that links the value
of a good to a consumer to the set of other consumers having that good. We
review recent studies on network effects in different areas (including
mechanism design, viral marketing and social networks, online dating
systems, and system efficiency) in algorithmic game theory, and then
discuss directions for future study.


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Biography:

Ning is a Ph.D. candidate in the department of Computer Science &
Engineering at the University of Washington, Seattle. His research is
mainly focused on Algorithmic Game Theory,  Algorithm Design, and Network
Economics.