Sipho C. Langa
Research Software Engineer
SAS Institute
Professionally, I am a Research Software Engineer whose work centers on Causal AI, an area of AI research that aims to equip machines with the ability to discern causal relations, reason over counterfactual alternatives, and produce predictions that remain robust to changing conditions. In parallel with my technical work, I engage in policy and governance analysis related to technology through independent and volunteer-based efforts. While separate from my formal role, this work informs how I approach the design and evaluation of systems operating within institutional constraints.
This perspective carries into my research on the design and governance of institutions and sociotechnical systems. I draw primarily on microeconomic theory and public policy, with mechanism design guiding my analysis of incentives, rules, and information structures, while borrowing methods from ethics, law, mathematics, and computer science.
News
2025
ISI Honors Conference
Honored to be selected to attend the ISI Honors Conference in 2025, where I'll engage with fellow scholars and academics as we discuss the foundations of the American order.
2025
Attending the 2025 Responsible AI Symposium
Exciting news! I will be attending the 2025 Responsible AI Symposium at Duke University. Looking forward to some good presentations and great conversations!
2025
A Beginner's Guide to Computational Modeling of Human Behavior
I recently created a GitHub page focused on computational models of human behavior. This repository is meant to help newcomers get their bearings in this complex and interdisciplinary field. While it's still a work in progress, it already has some useful tips and resources to help you get started!.
2025
MIT AI Negotiation Competition
Accepted to the prestigious MIT AI Negotiation Competition, focusing on interdisciplinary AI research.
2025
AIS25 Conference Presentation in Finland
Presenting interdisciplinary research at the AIS25 Conference in Finland.
2024–2025
Predoc.org Advisory Board
Joined the advisory board for Predoc.org to help guide initiatives that bridge academia and industry for early-career researchers.
2024
Presentation Excellence Award
Awarded the UCF Presentation Excellence Award for outstanding undergraduate research presentations.
2024
Princeton CITP Siegel Fellowship
Selected for the Princeton Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP) Siegel Public Interest Technology Fellowship.
2023
UChicago & Northwestern IDEAAS Participant
Participated in the UChicago & Northwestern IDEAAS workshops, exploring innovative research methodologies.
2023
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Economic Scholars Program
Presented research as a discussant at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Economic Scholars Program.
2023
Honorable Mention: SAS Batting Lab Patent
The SAS Batting Lab project, leveraging machine learning for sports, received a patent.
2022
Impact Manager Demoed at the White House
The Impact Manager project, addressing food insecurity, was demoed at the White House.
2021
Spring 2021 Undergraduate Essay Contest – Runner-Up
Runner-up for an essay on the economic impact of remote work, published by Berkeley's Econ Review.
Education
University of Central Florida
B.S. in Economics and Computational Science (Minor: Cognitive Science)
Advisor: Dr. Sharon Woodill
Experience
Research Engineer, Causal Inference & Machine Learning — SAS Institute
I design and deploy algorithms that bridge statistical theory and machine learning practice. My work focuses on translating cutting-edge methods in econometrics, causal inference, and AI/ML into scalable, production-ready software that accelerates scientific discovery and decision-making.
Research Assistant — Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Sloan
Advisor: Dr. Ray Reagans
Researched Expected Parrot Domain-Specific Language (EDSL) and agent-based modeling for urban and social dynamics. Designed simulations using Mesa, SimPy, and EDSL to analyze segregation patterns and broader urban phenomena. Developed a capstone project and interactive assignments to illustrate these concepts in real-world applications.
Junior Software Engineer, AI/ML — U.S. Hunger
Led automation, software development, and AI research to enhance operations. Developed Python solutions for internal processes, automated software testing, and optimized database management. Built custom API solutions, researched ML/AI applications for business needs, and streamlined workflows, from onboarding to Azure server management.
Portfolio
Misinformation, Philosophy, and Classification on X (Formerly Twitter)
An interactive notebook exploring the societal problem of misinformation through the lenses of philosophy, mathematics, and societal systems. This project proposes interdisciplinary approaches to improve online communities using classification techniques.
Breaking Patterns: Exploring Diversity in Music Recommendations
A Google Colab notebook proposing an algorithmic framework inspired by Szemerédi's Theorem to break repetitive patterns in music recommendations. This project aims to enhance diversity and serendipity while maintaining user satisfaction on Digital Streaming Platforms.
Diabetes Management Simulation Using Digital Twins and the Internet of Behaviors (IoB)
A simulation project leveraging Digital Twins and IoB to explore and optimize interventions for type 2 diabetes patients. The project compares traditional methods with IoB-enhanced strategies, showcasing metrics such as A1C trajectories and behavioral insights.