MIT has made a groundbreaking announcement today, naming renowned artificial intelligence expert Cynthia Breazeal as the new dean for digital learning, effective February 1st. This strategic appointment positions MIT at the forefront of artificial intelligence in digital education, as Breazeal will oversee numerous business units and research initiatives focused on developing and implementing cutting-edge digital technologies for learning. These include MIT xPRO, Bootcamps, Horizon, the Center for Advanced Virtuality, MIT Integrated Learning Initiative, RAISE, and other strategic programs.
In her new role, Breazeal will spearhead corporate education initiatives, expanding MIT's portfolio of online professional courses, content libraries, and boot camps. Her leadership will bring a fresh perspective to understanding the evolving needs of companies and professionals, identifying areas where AI enhanced educational technology can create meaningful impact. Additionally, she will guide MIT Open Learning's research into innovative teaching methodologies and learning approaches, with particular emphasis on how virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence can transform educational experiences.
"Cynthia brings to the deanship a remarkable combination of experience and expertise. She consistently displays an outstanding facility for leadership and collaboration, bringing together people, ideas, and technologies in creative and fruitful ways," wrote Sanjay Sarma, Vice President for Open Learning, in his announcement to the MIT community. "Cynthia is an ambassador for women in STEM and a trailblazer in interdisciplinary research and community engagement."
As the director of MIT RAISE—a groundbreaking cross-MIT research effort on advancing AI education for K-12 and adult learners—and head of the Personal Robots research group at the MIT Media Lab, Breazeal stands at the intersection of technology and human experience. Her pioneering work in human-robot interaction and social robotics has positioned her as a leading voice in the development of personified AI technologies that promote human flourishing and personal growth. Over the past decade, she has expanded her focus to include AI literacy, with particular emphasis on diversity and inclusion across all ages, backgrounds, and comfort levels with technology.
"The work that Open Learning is doing to extend the best of MIT's teaching, knowledge, and technology to the world is so thrilling to me," Breazeal expressed with enthusiasm. "I'm excited to work with these teams to grow and expand their respective programs and to develop new, more integrated, potentially thematic solutions for corporations and professionals."
TC Haldi, senior director of MIT xPRO, commented, "There's an increasing sophistication in the needs of the professional workforce, as technologies and systems grow more complex in every sector. Cynthia has a deep understanding of the intersection between research and industry, and her insights into learning and technology are invaluable."
Breazeal will continue to lead the Personal Robots research group, whose current work explores the theme of "living with AI" and examines the long-term impact of social robots that can build relationships and provide personalized support as helpful companions in daily life. Under her continued direction, the RAISE initiative—a collaboration between the Media Lab, Open Learning, and the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing—is bringing virtual reality AI learning experiences and educational resources to teachers and students worldwide through workshops, professional training, hands-on activities, research, and curricula.
