Cynthia Breazeal

Cynthia Breazeal is a globally renowned pioneer in the fields of social robotics and human-computer interaction. As a Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), she founded and leads the Personal Robots Group. Breazeal is also the Dean for Digital Learning at MIT and the Founding Director of the MIT RAISE (Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education) initiative. She is widely recognized for developing Kismet, one of the world’s first social robots, and for co-founding the prominent consumer robotics company Jibo. Her research focuses on exploring a future of "living with AI" by advancing personalized, empathetic robotic technologies to enhance human well-being. She is a strong advocate for AI literacy and education, aiming to make AI education accessible to K-12 learners.

• 2022–Present·Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)·Dean for Digital Learning
  • Overseeing multiple business units and research initiatives under MIT Open Learning. Leading corporate education, professional courses, and training programs while driving innovation in digital learning technologies.
• (Current) | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Professor of Media Arts and Sciences
  • Founded and leads the Personal Robots Group at the MIT Media Lab. Serves as the Founding Director of the MIT RAISE initiative, focusing on advancing AI education and social empowerment.
• 2012–2020·Jibo, Inc.·Chief Scientist & Chief Experience Officer
  • Co-founded this consumer-focused social robotics company, overseeing the scientific research and user experience design for the Jibo family robot.

• 1993–2000·Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)·PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Completed doctoral work under the supervision of Rodney Brooks. Her groundbreaking work in social robotics, specifically her dissertation on the robot Kismet, became a milestone in the field.

• 1989–1993 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Master’s in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

• 1985–1989 | University of California, Santa Barbara | Bachelor’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering