Stuart Russell

Dr Stuart Jonathan Russell is a British-American computer scientist, widely recognised for his contributions to artificial intelligence (AI). Born in 1962 in Portsmouth, England, he completed his BA in Physics at Wadham College, Oxford, graduating with first-class honours in 1982. He pursued his PhD in Computer Science at Stanford University, focusing on inductive and analogical reasoning, completing it in 1986.

Dr Russell is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley, where he holds the Smith-Zadeh Chair in Engineering. He is also the Director of the Center for Human-Compatible AI, which he founded in 2016 to focus on aligning AI systems with human values. Previously, he served as an adjunct professor of neurological surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, from 2008 to 2011.

Dr Russell co-authored the textbook Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach with Peter Norvig, widely regarded as a standard text in AI, used in over 1,500 universities worldwide. His research spans machine learning, probabilistic reasoning, knowledge representation, inverse reinforcement learning, and AI ethics. He has also advocated for the regulation of autonomous weapons.

He has received numerous accolades, including the IJCAI Computers and Thought Award (1995), the IJCAI Award for Research Excellence (2022), and an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2021 for services to AI research. He is a Fellow of the AAAI, ACM, and AAAS. In 2021, he delivered the BBC Reith Lectures on AI's impact on society.

Dr Russell is actively involved in AI policy discussions and serves on advisory boards, including the Future of Life Institute. His work includes the book Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control, focusing on the long-term implications of AI development.

Dr Stuart Jonathan Russell was born in 1962 in Portsmouth, England. He attended St Paul’s School in London, where he was awarded a scholarship. He pursued his undergraduate studies in physics at Wadham College, Oxford, graduating with first-class honours in 1982. Following this, he moved to the United States to study computer science at Stanford University, completing his PhD in 1986. His doctoral research focused on inductive and analogical reasoning under the supervision of Michael Genesereth and was supported by a NATO studentship.

In 1986, Dr Russell joined the University of California, Berkeley, as a Professor of Computer Science, where he continues to work. He holds the Smith-Zadeh Chair in Engineering and is recognised for his significant contributions to artificial intelligence (AI). From 2008 to 2011, he also served as an adjunct professor of neurological surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, conducting research on computational physiology and ICU monitoring.

Dr Russell co-authored Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach with Peter Norvig, first published in 1995. This book has become the standard AI textbook, used in over 1,500 universities worldwide. His other books include The Use of Knowledge in Analogy and Induction and Do the Right Thing: Studies in Limited Rationality (with Eric Wefald). In 2019, he published Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control, discussing the alignment of AI with human values.

In 2016, he founded the Center for Human-Compatible Artificial Intelligence (CHAI) at UC Berkeley. His research encompasses machine learning, inverse reinforcement learning, probabilistic reasoning, and AI safety. He has actively campaigned against the development of autonomous weapons, collaborating with the Future of Life Institute on advocacy efforts, including the impactful video Slaughterbots.

Dr Russell has received numerous accolades, including the IJCAI Computers and Thought Award (1995), the IJCAI Research Excellence Award (2022), and an OBE (2021) for services to AI. He is a Fellow of the AAAI, ACM, and AAAS. In 2021, he delivered the BBC Reith Lectures, focusing on AI's implications for society.

Currently, Dr Russell continues his work as a Professor at UC Berkeley, advancing research in AI and its ethical applications. He serves on advisory boards, including the Future of Life Institute, contributing to AI policy and safety initiatives.

Dr Stuart Russell envisions a future where artificial intelligence is developed and deployed in a way that aligns with human values and benefits society as a whole. He believes that AI systems must prioritise safety, fairness, and ethical considerations to ensure they support humanity rather than pose risks. Through his research and advocacy, he aims to establish frameworks for creating AI that respects human control and enhances global well-being. His work at the Center for Human-Compatible AI reflects this vision, focusing on long-term AI safety and its positive integration into society.

Dr Stuart Russell has received numerous awards for his contributions to artificial intelligence. In 1995, he won the IJCAI Computers and Thought Award, and in 2022, he received the IJCAI Research Excellence Award, making him one of the few to achieve both honours. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2021 for his services to AI research. Dr Russell is a Fellow of the AAAI, ACM, and AAAS. He has also been included in Edelman’s AI Creators List, recognising his influence in shaping the future of AI globally.