Post-Training for Visual Synthesis: Safe and Powerful Generation

PhD Qualifying Examination


Title: "Post-Training for Visual Synthesis: Safe and Powerful Generation"

by

Mr. Runtao LIU


Abstract:

Recent advancements in visual generation, like text-to-image (T2I) and 
text-to-video (T2V), have revolutionized creative workflows and content 
automation, driving unprecedented growth in research and industry 
applications. However, the rapid development of these technologies has 
raised critical concerns about their potential misuse in generating harmful 
content and their limited alignment with user preferences. In this survey we 
explore existing post-training strategies designed to enhance the safety and 
quality of visual synthesis while preserving the generative power of 
pre-trained models. We focus on two core challenges: (1) mitigating risks of 
unsafe content generation, and (2) optimizing outputs to better align with 
human preferences in both image and video domains. By summarizing current 
progress and identifying underexplored research directions, this survey aims 
to guide the development of robust, user-aligned visual synthesis systems 
that responsibly harness the potential of generative AI.


Date:                   Friday, 9 May 2025

Time:                   2:00pm - 4:00pm

Venue:                  Room 5504
                        Lifts 25/26

Committee Members:      Dr. Qifeng Chen (Supervisor)
                        Dr. Dan Xu (Chairperson)
                        Dr. May Fung