MIT Affiliates Named 2026 Schmidt Sciences AI2050 Fellows
Seven MIT-affiliated researchers join the prestigious cohort to solve critical artificial intelligence challenges.
1Schmidt Sciences Fellowship Selection
Schmidt Sciences has officially announced the 2026 cohort of AI2050 Fellows, including five MIT faculty members and two alumni. This philanthropic initiative, co-chaired by Eric Schmidt and James Manyika, aims to accelerate scientific innovation. The program specifically targets hard problems in artificial intelligence to ensure the technology provides long-term societal benefits.
2Vision for Future AI
The core mission of the AI2050 fellowship revolves around a central motivating question regarding the state of AI in 2050. Fellows are tasked with identifying the most important problems solved and opportunities realized to ensure AI becomes hugely beneficial to society. This framework guides their individual research projects and collaborative efforts.
3Human-Centered AI Research
Senior Fellow Sendhil Mullainathan focuses his research on the intersection of algorithms and human behavior. As a principal investigator at the MIT Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems, he leads The Bike Shop@MIT. His AI2050 project centers on translating patterns detectable by machine learning into testable theories for human-centered AI applications.
4Mathematical Foundations and Training
Alex Damian, an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics, joins the cohort as an Early Career Fellow. His research emphasizes the mathematical foundations of deep learning, specifically optimization dynamics and representation learning. His current AI2050 project is dedicated to developing more effective and robust methods for training artificial intelligence models.
5Democratic Innovation and Participation
Bailey Flanigan integrates social choice theory, game theory, and algorithms to strengthen public participation in democracy. Her work at the MIT Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems explores sampling algorithms and preference elicitation. Her AI2050 project focuses on gathering structured public input to assist lawmakers in making complex policy decisions.
6Genomic AI and Biology
Yunha Hwang, co-founder of Tatta Bio, bridges computer science and biology in her research. She investigates machine learning applications for microbial evolution and biomanufacturing. As an AI2050 fellow, her research project is specifically focused on determining biological enzyme functions, leveraging genomic AI to advance the field of biological discovery.
7Algorithmic Fairness in Society
Manish Raghavan from the MIT Sloan School of Management studies the application of computational techniques to social concerns. His work examines algorithmic fairness, behavioral economics, and the hiring pipeline. His AI2050 project aims to mitigate the negative effects of widespread AI reliance while strengthening the positive aspects of these tools.
8Broader Impact of Fellowship
Beyond the faculty members, MIT alumni Irene Chen and Allison Z. Koenecke, along with former postdoc Juan Carlos Perdomo, were named Early Career Fellows. This cohort represents a diverse range of disciplines, from mathematics to political science, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature required to solve the complex challenges facing artificial intelligence today.
Original article: MIT News — AI — MIT Affiliates Named 2026 Schmidt Sciences AI2050 Fellows