University Seminar-Computability, Complexity, and Algebraic Structure: Open-World Databases: Ontologies, Logical Queries, and Kripke Semantics

Time: Wednesday, March 25, 5:00–6:00 pm

Place: Phillips Hall, Room 108

Speaker:  Andrew Hirsch, University of Buffalo

Title: Open-World Databases: Ontologies, Logical Queries, and Kripke Semantics

Abstract: Formal Ontologies, describe how information in a special type of databases, called knowledge graphs, is organized. This empowers such databases in a number of applications, increasing safety and speed. However, while many ontology-based technologies assume an open world, systems for querying knowledge graphs often assume a closed world, leading to a mismatch in expected semantics. In this talk, I will use the language of model theory to describe how open- and closed-world systems differ logically. I will then describe ongoing work on understanding how to describe open-world ontologies logically. No knowledge of databases or ontologies will be assumed.