In late November, faculty, staff, and students from across MIT participated MIT Generative AI Week. Programming included a flagship full-day symposium as well as four theme-specific symposia, all aimed at fostering a dialogue about the opportunities and potential applications of AI production technologies across a wide range of disciplines.
“These events are an expression of our belief that MIT has a special responsibility to help society confront the tectonic forces of genetic artificial intelligence — to understand its potential, limit its risks, and harness its power for good. said MIT President Sally. Kornbluth, in an email announcing the programming week earlier this fall.
Activities during MIT’s Generative AI Week, many of which are available to watch on YouTubeincluded:
MIT Generative AI: Shaping the Future Symposium
The week kicked off with a flagship symposium, MIT Generative AI: Shaping the Future. The day-long symposium included remarks by Kornbluth as well as two keynote speakers. Morning keynote speaker Emeritus Professor Rodney Brooks, co-founder of iRobot, former director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), and founder and CTO of Robust.AI, discussed how robotics and genetic AI intersect. The evening’s keynote speaker, renowned media artist and filmmaker Refik Anadol, discussed the interplay between genetic AI and art, including approaches to data sculpting and digital architecture in our natural world.
The symposium featured panel and roundtable discussions on topics such as artificial intelligence genetic foundations. science fiction; genetic AI applications. and genetic artificial intelligence, ethics and society. The event ended with a performance by saxophonist and composer Paul Winter. It was chaired by Daniela Rus, Andrew (1956) and Erna Viterbi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) and director of CSAIL, and co-chaired by Cynthia Breazeal, MIT dean of digital learning and professor of media arts and sciences. , and Sertac Karaman, professor of aeronautics and astronautics and director of the Information and Decision Systems Laboratory.
“Another Body” view.
The first day of MIT Generative AI Week concluded with a special screening of the documentary ‘Another Body’. The SxSW Special Jury Prize-winning documentary follows a college student’s search for answers and justice after she discovers fake pornography of herself circulating online.
After the screening, there was a discussion with the film’s editor, Rabab Haj Yahya. David Goldston, director of MIT’s Washington Office. Catherine D’Ignazio, associate professor of urban sciences and planning and director of the Data + Feminism Lab. and MIT junior Ananda Santos Figueiredo.
Generative AI + Education Symposium
Drawing from MIT’s extensive community of faculty, research staff, students, and colleagues, the Generative AI + Education Symposium offered keynote addresses, panel discussions, and live demonstrations of how generative AI is transforming the learning experience and teaching practice from K -12 , post-secondary education and workforce upgrading. The symposium included a fireside chat titled, “Will Generative AI Transform Learning and Education?” as well as sessions on student experience, teaching practice, and big ideas from MIT.
This half-day symposium concluded with an Innovation Expo, where attendees were invited to engage directly with demonstrations of the latest in MIT research and ingenuity. The event was co-chaired by Breazeal and Christopher Capozzola, senior associate dean for open learning and professor of history.
Generative AI + Health Symposium
The Generative AI + Health Symposium highlighted AI research focused on human health and the health of the planet. The talks highlighted progress in molecular design and sensing applications to advance human health, as well as work to improve climate change projections, increase efficiency in mobility and design new materials. A panel discussion of six researchers from across MIT explored the expected effects of artificial intelligence in these areas.
This half-day symposium was co-chaired by Raffaele Ferrari, the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Oceanography in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences and director of the Program on Atmospheres, Oceans and Climate. Polina Golland, the Sunlin and Priscilla Chou Professor in the EECS Department and Principal Investigator at CSAIL. Amy Keating, the Jay A. Stein Professor of Biology, professor of Biological Engineering and head of the Department of Biology. and Elsa Olivetti, the Jerry McAfee (1940) Professor of Engineering in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, associate dean of engineering and director of the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium.
Generative AI + Creativity Symposium
At the Generative AI + Creativity Symposium, experts, researchers, and students from MIT explored questions that look like the future and imagine a world where systems and techniques for producing enhanced artificial intelligence improve the human condition. Topics explored included how combined human and AI systems could make more creative and better decisions than either alone. how lifelong creativity, enhanced by a new generation of tools, methods and experiences, can help society. they envision, explore and implement a more joyful, artistic, meaningful and just future. how to make AI readable and reliable; and how to engage an unprecedented mix of diverse stakeholders to inspire and support creative thinking, expression and computation by empowering all people.
The half-day symposium was co-chaired by Dava Newman, Apollo Professor of Astronautics and director of the MIT Media Lab, and John Ochsendorf, Class of 1942 professor of architecture and civil and environmental engineering, and founding director of the MIT Morningside Academy for Design.
Generative AI + Impact on Commerce Symposium
The Generative AI + Impact on Commerce Symposium explored the impact of artificial intelligence on management practice. The event featured a curated set of researchers at MIT. policymakers actively working on legislation to ensure that AI is developed in a way that is fair and healthy for the consumer; venture capitalists investing in cutting-edge AI technology; and private equity investors who want to use AI tools as a competitive advantage.
This half-day symposium was co-chaired by Vivek Farias, Patrick J. McGovern (1959) Professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and Simon Johnson, Ronald A. Kurtz (1954) Professor of Entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan School of Management.