News Center | University of Rochester

A robotic hand playing a synthesizer while bathed in blue light to illustrate the question "can AI make music?"

Is AI the next Mozart—or just a mashup machine?

Music is a deeply human art form. What happens when AI enters the orchestra pit or the recording studio?

Dora Bora against a white background near text that reads "ever wonder" and then in a thought bubble "how animals think" to illustrate the concept of collective intelligence in animals.

Science & Technology

How animals make group decisions—without a leader

From pigeons to chimpanzees, cognitive biologist Dora Biro shows how individual minds scale into collective intelligence—and what that reveals about us.

Ralf Haefner, Adam Snyder, and Shizhao Liu stand in front of a whiteboard covered in writing.

Science & Technology

Learning makes brain cells work together, not apart

A new study overturns a long-standing theory in neuroscience.

Nighttime view of the central historic downtown Heroica Veracruz, Mexico.

Society & Culture

In Mexico, Afro-Caribbean roots run deeper than expected

A new book reframes long-held assumptions about the denial of Black identity in the Mexican port city of Veracruz.

Five unsinkable metal tubes bound together and seen from above floating in water with bubbles nearby and an overall blue cast.

Science & Technology

Scientists engineer unsinkable metal tubes

The superhydrophobic design could lead to resilient ships, floating platforms, and renewable energy innovations.

Young woman deeply engaged with her smartphone, seen through a distorted, swirling blur effect to illustrate the concept of social media echo chambers.

Society & Culture

Your social media feed is built to agree with you. What if it didn’t?

A new study points to algorithm design as a potential way to reduce echo chambers—and polarization—online.

Video still showing Dave Canning pointing a laser pointer at a piece of paper near text that reads "ever wonder" and a thought bubble containing the phrase "what can we do with lasers?"

Science & Technology

7 surprising ways URochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics shapes science and society

The Laser Lab powers breakthroughs in fusion, national security, and technologies we use every day.

Half a dozen high school students wearing University of Rochester shirts sit on the stairs of the Eastman Quad as part of the University of Rochester's Pre-College Summer Program.

Campus & Community

Pre-college summer courses give sneak peek at campus life

Each summer, high school students take a variety of classes while living, dining, and learning at URochester.

Steve Lim and Walter McDonald smile while seated in chairs against a bright yellow background.

Science & Technology

Undergraduates launch affordable AI receptionist service

Walter McDonald ’27 and Stephen Lim ’27 created OrbitPhone to help small businesses manage calls and appointments.

Group photo of the 17 or so people who comprise the NSF STELLAR team at URochester, including government and industry partners.

NSF explores Rochester as a potential national hub for laser research and development

The URochester-led STELLAR project is a finalist in the NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines competition.

A URochester career center advisor and undergraduate student sit at a table and discuss career and internship opportunities.

New Hire Rochester Internship Program opens doors to paid professional experiences

Exclusively for URochester undergraduates, the program is made possible by trustee Judith Reinsdorf ’86.

Portrait of Elaine Sia within a shield outline against a yellow background with a darker yellow chevron on it.

Leadership Conversation with Elaine Sia

URochester’s inaugural leader for academic excellence discusses curriculum, value, and how we ensure student success.