Eric Horvitz

Eric Horvitz is a distinguished computer scientist currently serving as the Chief Scientific Officer of Microsoft and a Technical Fellow at Microsoft. He has made significant theoretical and practical contributions in the field of artificial intelligence, with research spanning decision theory, machine learning, human-computer interaction, and information retrieval. His pioneering work includes modeling decision-making under uncertainty and introducing probability and utility theories into the realm of AI. He is also dedicated to investigating the ethics, safety, and societal impacts of AI and advancing related policy initiatives. He is a member of several top international scientific organizations, including the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Dr. Horvitz is the founding chair of Stanford University's "One Hundred Year Study on AI" and has contributed to national-level AI policy advisement. His work has had a profound impact on the practical applications of AI across domains such as healthcare, transportation, and e-commerce.

• 2020 – Present·Microsoft·Chief Scientific Officer
  • Leads research at the intersection of science, technology, and society, with a focus on AI, life sciences, and healthcare.
  • Drives research on AI ethics, safety, and societal impacts, and chairs Microsoft's Aether Committee.
• Previous Years | Microsoft Research | Research Director
  • Managed multiple Microsoft Research labs across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and India.
  • Developed and deployed several AI-based systems in domains such as healthcare, transportation, and operating systems.

• 1980s – 1990s·Stanford University·Ph.D. and M.D.
  • Specialization: Research on computation and action under constrained resources.
  • Mentors included distinguished scholars such as Ronald A. Howard, George B. Dantzig, and Edward H. Shortliffe.