Professor Dimitar Christozov is one of the longest-serving faculty members at AUBG, having been part of the institution since mid-1993.
With over 45 years of experience in research and education across disciplines such as computer science, applied statistics, and information systems, his contribution has been far-reaching. His entire career focuses on business analytics and data science, emphasizing the human-machine communication, culminating in his latest book, “Quantitative Measures and Warranty Coverage of the Risk of Misinforming”.
Throughout his professional career, Professor Christozov has contributed to several notable projects, including the design and development of “Relia-Soft”, a software tool for evaluating machine reliability, and the establishment of Bulgaria’s national information network for technology transfer.
His work at AUBG has been equally impactful, as he played a key role in developing the Computer Science curriculum in 1993 and later the Information Systems major in 2008. He chaired several times the Computer Science department, served as Faculty Assembly chair, and as Interim Provost in Spring 2020.
A pioneer in Computer Science
Professor Christozov’s contributions to the field of computer science in Bulgaria date back to the early days of computing. As technology advanced, he remained at the forefront, integrating the latest developments into his teaching and research. His impressive portfolio includes over 100 published papers, ensuring that his contributions continue to inspire future generations.
His achievements in the field were recognized by the academic community, and he was elected to represent the professional field of Mathematics and Computer Science in the Executive Board of Bulgarian Science Fund in 2015-2017 mandate.
Exploring the risk of misinforming
In February 2024, Christozov published “Quantitative Measures and Warranty Coverage of the Risk of Misinforming”. The book examines the phenomenon of misinforming – when technically accurate information is misinterpreted due to poor communication or misunderstanding. In this work, he not only unpacks the concept but also presents models to mitigate its risks, offering practical applications for business, communication, and innovation.
The origin of the book
The inspiration for the book arose from his teaching experiences. “The whole story started more than 20 years ago,” Christozov recalls. “I was teaching a management information systems class and trying to explain how crucial it is for systems to present information in a way that users can understand”. This observation highlighted a recurring issue: the disconnect in indirect communication, where nuances are lost and misunderstandings arise.
A four-part exploration
The book is structured into four sections, each tackling a different aspect of misinforming.
- Origins and nature of misinforming – the case with the snow and the desert
The first part explores the roots of this phenomenon, drawing analogies from language and culture. For instance, Christozov highlights how linguistic differences can lead to misinterpretation. “In English, we have one word for snow, but in certain Arctic cultures, there are 25 different words for it. The same happens with deserts – Hebrew has four distinct words for different types of deserts, but these nuances are often lost in translation, misleading readers”.
- Probabilistic models
The second part introduces the probabilistic models Christozov developed to assess the risk of misinforming. “We built models to quantify this risk,” he notes, emphasizing the importance of understanding the mechanics behind the issue.
- Business applications
The third section applies these models to real-world business scenarios, showcasing how misinformation can affect decision-making processes.
- Warranty of misinforming
The fourth part of the book is dedicated to a new branch of theory investigating warranty as a social phenomenon aimed at protecting clients from the risk of purchasing unsuitable products. With the growing volume of indirect purchasing, the risk caused by misinforming raises in both likelihood and impact. The book presents multiple aspects of management related to this risk.
- The positives of misinforming
Surprisingly, “there are also positive aspects to misinforming, particularly when it comes to out-of-the-box thinking. You might be misled by the information presented, but by combining what you already know with incomplete or ambiguous details, you use your judgment to create something entirely new. This process can drive innovation,” he explains, highlighting how misinforming can serve as a catalyst for creativity.
The role of statistics
One of the book’s recurring themes is the role of statistical literacy in preventing misinforming. We had the chance to discuss its application in a number of fields. This is a subject that’s mandatory as part of the AUBG curriculum, and for a reason.
For example, in journalism, people often use inaccurate statistics, which can lead to skewed perceptions. “Average is a common word used by journalists all the time. Average is a good measure in a Gaussian distribution, but not in other cases,” he explains. To illustrate this, he shares a vivid example passed on to him by Professor Mutafchiev:
“Imagine you’re applying to a company with 11 employees, and the average salary is 100,000 leva. You’re selected for the job, and they offer you 10,000 leva. You soon realize that one person earns a million and the rest earn 10,000 each. The average salary is 100,000, but this does not reflect the reality for most employees. This highlights a lack of competence in understanding data distribution, leading to misleading conclusions.” He then explains that a median or a mode would be more informative in this case.
He also notes that while advancements in technology have made statistical tools widely accessible, they have not necessarily improved users’ competence in interpreting results. “Practically everybody can now use statistics to process data,” he explains. “However, understanding their validity requires expertise.”
Leaving a legacy
Beyond his academic contributions, Professor Christozov has united and inspired a global community of computer science and information systems enthusiasts. He is a founding member and Fellow of the Informing Science Institute, where he was honored with the Zbigniew Gackowski Memorial Award for his exceptional contributions. Additionally, he is a founding member of organizations such as the Bulgarian Statistical Society, the Bulgarian Telework Association, and the Applied Knowledge Management Institute.
He has also served as both a chair and a committee member at a number of international conferences, as well as an editor and associate editor of international journals in the fields of his expertise. These efforts underscore his commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration across disciplines.
Professor Christozov announced that he will be retiring at the end of the Fall semester in 2024, and will receive Emeritus status as a recognition for his many years of service at AUBG. His dedication to education has shaped the computing programs at the university and left a lasting impact on the countless students who have benefited from his teaching, mentorship, and expertise. While professor Christozov’s journey at AUBG is nearing its end, his contributions will remain a cornerstone of AUBG’s story for years to come.
