Pattie Maes

Pattie Maes is the associate head and Professor of MIT’s Program in Media Arts and Sciences. As a leading figure in AI with over 30 years of experience, Pattie is a highly respected authority on human-computer interaction and AI. She is especially interested in the cognitive enhancement of wearable, immersive and brain-computer interface systems with the aim of actively assisting people with issues in their attention, memory, decision making, communication, wellbeing, and sleep.

Pattie holds both a bachelor’s and a PhD in Computer Science from the Vrije Universiteit. As a very entrepreneurial individual, Pattie has been responsible for founding numerous venture-backed companies including Firefly Networks which was sold to Microsoft, Open Ratings which was sold to Dun & Bradstreet, and she continues to lead an active role as an advisor and investor in several MIT spinoffs. Previously, Pattie founded the Software Agents group, in addition to founding and directing the Media Lab’s Fluid Interfaces research group. Initially, she began her career with MIT as a visiting professor and research scientist at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab before moving on to a full-time position.

As a pioneer in the field of AI, Pattie is the editor of three books and sits on the editorial boards and acts as a reviewer of several prestigious academic journals and conferences. Recognised for her contribution to AI, Pattie was honoured by The World Economic Forum with the title Global Leader for Tomorrow. Furthermore, FastCompany named her one of the 50 most influential designers in 2011, Newsweek magazine named her one of the 100 Americans to watch in 2000 and TIME Digital selected her as a member of the Cyber-Elite.

As a speaker, Pattie has given talks at several prestigious events, including several TED Talks. Her 2009 TED Talk was among the most-watched TED Talks ever. Pattie is a pioneer and an exceptionally well-respected authority in the field of AI, she brings the latest and most exciting research to all her presentations, leaving her audience well informed on the most recent developments in AI.