MIT Schwarzman College of Computing explained

MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing
Established:January 1, 2020
Type:Private computing college
Parent:Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Budget:$1.1 billion
Dean:Daniel P. Huttenlocher
City:Cambridge
State:Massachusetts
Country:United States

The MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing is the computing college at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Announced in 2018 to address the growing applications of computing technology, the college is an Institute-wide academic unit that works alongside MIT's five Schools of Architecture and Planning, Engineering, Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Science, and Management. The college emphasizes artificial intelligence research, interdisciplinary applications of computing, and social and ethical responsibilities of computing.[1] It aims to be an interdisciplinary hub for work in artificial intelligence, computer science, data science, and related fields. Its creation was the first significant change to MIT's academic structure since the early 1950s.[2]

The MIT Schwarzman College of Computing is named after The Blackstone Group chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman, who donated $350 million of the college's $1.1 billion funding commitment.[3] The college's funding sources were met with criticism, with students and staff contrasting MIT's stated emphasis on ethics against Schwarzman's controversial business practices[4] [5] and support for Donald Trump.[6] [7] [8]

Headquarters

The 2018 announcement of the college's creation included a 150000square feet165000square feet new building to provide enough room on campus for 65 faculty members, plus graduate students and staff (most of which would be funded by the college).[9] The new headquarters was designated as Building 45, reflecting the campus-wide number system and the chosen location on the site of Building 44.[10] Building 44 had been home to MIT's cyclotron and a giant "J" sign celebrating the discovery of the J/psi meson.[11] The Edgerton Student Shop, approximately six members of the Laboratory for Nuclear Science, and two physics classes[12] were relocated to other buildings by summer 2019, and Building 44 was demolished starting in September 2019.[13] The new building at 51 Vassar Street is being designed by the firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and is expected to be complete in 2023.[14] Plans were released in January, 2021.[15]

History

On October 15, 2018, MIT president L. Rafael Reif announced the creation of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. MIT described the initiative as its response to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and computing technology.[1] [16] The main part of the college's funding consisted of a $350 million gift from businessman Stephen A. Schwarzman, characterized by Forbes as one of the largest donations made to a single academic institution.[17]

The college was shaped by a several-year-long conversation between Reif and Schwarzman prior to the donation, where the two raised questions on the potential of AI and its future impacts on society. Schwarzman emphasized the global effects of AI and believed that America needed to invest further into developing the technology, and Reif desired a university-wide initiative that funds and promotes collaboration between departments.[18] The resulting college sets a goal of educating "the bilinguals of the future", referring to students skilled in both computing and its applications to other fields.[16] [18] MIT also stated that the college would emphasize the ethics of AI and computing.[16]

On February 21, 2019, MIT announced Daniel P. Huttenlocher as the inaugural dean of the college. Huttenlocher was praised for his "educational creativity, instinctive collegiality, intellectual depth and breadth, institutional savvy, and industry experience".[19]

On February 26–28, 2019, MIT launched a three-day celebration of the college in an event named "Hello World, Hello MIT". The celebration featured panel discussions, an academic symposium, and talks from several notable figures. The speakers included Reif, Schwarzman, Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, author Thomas Friedman, and former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.[20] The celebration received heavy criticism from several MIT students, faculty, and alumni, who protested the event and questioned the ethics of past actions by Schwarzman and Kissinger.[21] [22]

Academics and research

The Schwarzman College of Computing has one academic department and several research enterprises which also have degree programs:[23]

The non-degree-granting research labs that are part of the college are:[24]

The establishment of the college added 50 new faculty positions to the university. Half of these positions focus on computer science, while the other half are jointly appointed in collaboration with other departments in the Architecture and Planning, Engineering, Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Science, and Management.[1] [18] The New York Times described the college's structure as an effort to "alter traditional academic thinking and practice" and allow the university to more effectively bring computing to other fields.[18]

The creation of the College of Computing also started the development of three additional programs meant to integrate closely with other MIT computing activities, for which plans have not been finalized:

Reception

Positive responses

MIT professor and AI researcher Patrick Winston praised the organization of the college and viewed it as an entity poised to serve "all of MIT". He expressed optimism regarding the college's long-term impacts, stating that he has "a very romantic dream of discoveries on par with those of Copernicus,... Darwin,... Watson and Crick".[28]

Some MIT students spoke positively regarding the college's potential to "better manage the overflowing major" of computer science. At the time of the college's establishment, roughly 40 percent of MIT undergraduates majored in computer science or a joint program involving computer science.[29]

Negative responses

MIT's creation of the Schwarzman College of Computing led to several negative responses. A group of MIT students, faculty, and alumni issued a strong criticism against the university's decision to accept money from Schwarzman, deeming it to be unethical. In an opinion piece in The Tech, they condemned Schwarzman's relationship as an advisor to US President Donald Trump, his ties to Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and his firm's opposition to an affordable housing bill in California.[4] Schwarzman's firm Blackstone responded that "advancing artificial intelligence responsibly is one of the most pressing challenges of our times and it should transcend politics".[4]

From another perspective, some students questioned the societal value of MIT's focus on computing and AI. Viewing MIT administrators' emphasis on these technologies as a fad, they argued that MIT should instead promote research and education in areas that they believed to be more impactful. "[Why] aren't we putting this large sum of money into our climate change research, our urban planning department, or our economics and political science departments?" wrote a student in an opinion piece in The Tech.[30] Students also described MIT's initiative to create the college as "very top-down in its approach" and expressed skepticism regarding "buy-in from faculty, staff, and students".[31]

Outside of MIT, the Yale Daily News wrote that Schwarzman's donation to MIT "appeared to be a snub at Yale".[32] The paper stated that an earlier donation to Yale for a $150 million Schwarzman Center led to similar controversies. The Schwarzman Center was viewed by its critics as "being driven by the donors rather than driven by the faculty and their mission".[32] [33] Schwarzman received his bachelor's degree from Yale in 1969.

Notable people

Notable people affiliated with the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing include:[34]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Letter to the MIT community regarding the MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing . MIT News . 15 October 2018 . 14 June 2020 . 3 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200703233912/http://news.mit.edu/2018/letter-mit-community-regarding-mit-stephen-schwarzman-college-computing . live .
  2. Web site: MIT reshapes itself to shape the future . MIT News . 15 September 2020 . 7 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200907041822/https://news.mit.edu/2018/mit-reshapes-itself-stephen-schwarzman-college-of-computing-1015 . live .
  3. Web site: Home MIT Schwarzman College of Computing Massachusetts Institute of Technology . computing.mit.edu . 14 June 2020 . 14 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200614022508/https://computing.mit.edu/ . live .
  4. Web site: Kary . Tiffany . Schwarzman College at MIT Spurs Outcry by Students, Faculty . Bloomberg . 18 February 2019 . 2020-06-14 . 2020-06-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200614051707/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-18/schwarzman-college-at-mit-spurs-backlash-as-group-scolds-school . live .
  5. Web site: Sheill . Zoe . Zhang . Whitney . Protesters gather against College of Computing celebration . The Tech . en . 7 March 2019 . 14 June 2020 . 14 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200614033657/https://thetech.com/2019/03/07/protest-college-of-computing-kissinger . live .
  6. Web site: Celebrating war criminals at MIT's 'ethical' College of Computing. 2021-01-21. The Tech. en.
  7. Web site: 2019-02-19. Group at MIT wants a celebration for a new college canceled. 2021-01-21. AP NEWS.
  8. News: Kelly. Kate. 2021-01-19. In Trump, Stephen Schwarzman Found a Chance to Burnish His Legacy. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-01-21. 0362-4331.
  9. Web site: FAQ on the newly established MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing . 15 Oct 2018 . 2021-01-20.
  10. Web site: Building site identified for MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing. 19 Dec 2018 .
  11. Web site: Only at MIT - Why is there a "J" sign on MIT Building 44? . 2021-01-20.
  12. https://www.thetech.com/2019/01/10/college-of-computing-headquarters College of Computing headquarters to replace Building 44
  13. Web site: MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing . 14 Nov 2020.
  14. https://news.mit.edu/2019/3q-dan-huttenlocher-formation-mit-schwarzman-college-computing-1126 3 Questions: Dan Huttenlocher on the formation of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing
  15. https://www.cambridgeday.com/2021/01/10/mits-college-of-computing-building-takes-shape-as-alexandria-and-biomed-make-moves-in-boston/ MIT's College of Computing building takes shape as Alexandria and BioMed make moves in Boston
  16. Web site: Vincent . James . MIT is investing $1 billion in an AI college . The Verge . en . 15 October 2018 . 14 June 2020 . 31 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200531085605/https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/15/17978056/mit-college-of-computing-ai-interdisciplinary-research . live .
  17. Web site: Adams . Susan . Stephen Schwarzman Makes Anchor Gift For New $1 Billion School Of Artificial Intelligence At MIT . Forbes . en . 15 October 2018 . 14 June 2020 . 13 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200613000336/https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2018/10/15/stephen-schwarzman-makes-anchor-gift-for-new-1-billion-school-of-artificial-intelligence-at-m-i-t/ . live .
  18. Web site: Lohr . Steve . M.I.T. Plans College for Artificial Intelligence, Backed by $1 Billion . The New York Times . 15 October 2018 . 14 June 2020 . 7 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190207022135/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/technology/mit-college-artificial-intelligence.html . live .
  19. Web site: Dan Huttenlocher named inaugural dean of MIT Schwarzman College of Computing . MIT News . 21 February 2019 . 14 June 2020 . 5 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200605212837/http://news.mit.edu/2019/dan-huttenlocher-named-inaugural-mit-schwarzman-college-of-computing-dean-0221 . live .
  20. Web site: Hello, World. Hello, MIT. MIT News . news.mit.edu . 4 February 2019 . 14 June 2020 . 14 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200614083508/http://news.mit.edu/2019/hello-world-hello-mit . live .
  21. Web site: McDonald . Danny . MIT group calls for university to cancel celebration of new college, apologize for Henry Kissinger invite - The Boston Globe . The Boston Globe . 18 February 2019 . 14 June 2020 . 14 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200614061949/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/02/18/mit-group-calls-for-university-cancel-celebration-new-college-apologize-for-henry-kissinger-invite/OqKJiMiZLOswyaUShbyReI/story.html . live .
  22. Web site: Ng . Jonathan . Henry Kissinger warns of dangers of AI at MIT, as students protest his presence . Boston Herald . 1 March 2019 . 14 June 2020 . 14 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200614061951/https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/02/28/kissinger-warns-of-dangers-of-ai-at-mit-as-students-protest-his-presence/ . live .
  23. Web site: MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing. 2020-01-20 .
  24. Web site: Organization MIT Schwarzman College of Computing Massachusetts Institute of Technology . computing.mit.edu . 14 June 2020 . 14 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200614022529/https://computing.mit.edu/organization . live .
  25. Web site: A college for the computing age . 4 Feb 2020 . MIT News . Terri Park.
  26. Web site: Park . Terri . A college for the computing age . MIT News . 4 February 2020 . 14 June 2020 . 6 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200606011433/https://news.mit.edu/2020/college-for-the-computing-age-0204 . live .
  27. https://computing.mit.edu/cross-cutting/social-and-ethical-responsibilities-of-computing/serc-cases-studies/
  28. Web site: Wahl . Patrick . Gandhi . Anshula . Shi . Jessica . MIT to launch $1 billion College of Computing in September 2019 . The Tech . en . 18 October 2018 . 14 June 2020 . 14 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200614182508/https://thetech.com/2018/10/18/college-of-computing . live .
  29. Web site: Chun . Soomin . What the College of Computing can do for both MIT and society . The Tech . en . 19 November 2018 . 14 June 2020 . 14 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200614182510/https://www.thetech.com/2018/11/19/college-of-computing-guest-column-1 . live .
  30. Web site: Masroor . Faraz . How (not) to spend one billion dollars . The Tech . en . 18 October 2018 . 15 June 2020 . 15 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200615003025/https://www.thetech.com/2018/10/18/college-of-computing-letter-1 . live .
  31. Web site: Goldman . Mark . Ethical change requires more than a billion dollars . The Tech . en . 28 February 2019 . 15 June 2020 . 15 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200615003027/https://www.thetech.com/2019/02/28/ethical-change-coc . live .
  32. Web site: Cho . Serena . Schwarzman gift to MIT draws criticism . yaledailynews.com . en . 20 February 2019 . 14 June 2020 . 14 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200614211328/https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2019/02/20/schwarzman-gift-to-mit-draws-criticism/ . live .
  33. Web site: Sleeper . Jim . The Tragedy of the Yale Commons . The New Republic . 12 December 2019 . 14 June 2020 . 15 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200615021244/https://newrepublic.com/article/155939/tragedy-yale-commons . live .
  34. Web site: People MIT Schwarzman College of Computing Massachusetts Institute of Technology . computing.mit.edu . 14 June 2020 . 14 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200614022529/https://computing.mit.edu/people . live .

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