In recognition of his work in artificial intelligence (AI), renowned Wharton professor Daniel Rock has been awarded a coveted fellowship by Schmidt Sciences. As one of a select group of scientists selected as AI2050 Early Career Fellows, Rock has devoted himself to improving AI solutions via multidisciplinary research.
Schmidt Sciences’ commitment to AI research
With significant support from co-founders Eric and Wendy Schmidt, Schmidt Sciences, a renowned charitable organization dedicated to scientific and technological advancement, initiated the AI2050 program in 2022. This effort seeks to address the dangers and issues associated with AI through thorough research and creative solutions.
Daniel Rock is one of the chosen fellows who receive significant funding to further his research objectives. Up to $300,000 in funding over two years will be provided to the 2023 cohort of early career fellows, enabling them to explore essential AI research in various disciplines, including computer science, political science, philosophy, and economics.
Daniel Rock has an exceptional academic background and holds an undergraduate degree from the prestigious Wharton School. He is Wharton’s assistant professor of operations, information, and decisions. His studies center on the financial effects of artificial intelligence, especially as they relate to labor markets and the larger socioeconomic environment.
Advancing AI education at Penn
The breakthrough announcement of the launch of an undergraduate AI major by Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, scheduled to begin in the autumn of 2024, occurred. This pioneering initiative positions Penn as a trailblazer among Ivy League institutions, responding to the escalating demand for AI expertise in various professional domains.
As a recipient of the Schmidt Sciences fellowship, Daniel Rock is poised to continue his groundbreaking research at the intersection of AI, economics, and public policy. Additionally, to further enhance our comprehension of AI’s influence on employment dynamics, he intends to create a large-scale language model trained on data from job postings.
The announcement of an AI major at Penn is part of a larger trend on campus that shows a growing interest in and engagement with AI-related topics. From literacy interest groups to interdisciplinary seminars, there is a growing conversation about AI’s ethical, societal, and economic implications, which encourages responsible innovation and exploration.
The appointment of Daniel Rock as a Schmidt Sciences AI2050 Early Career Fellow emphasizes the value of multidisciplinary, cooperative research in tackling the complex issues that artificial intelligence presents. With strong backing from Penn’s academic community and Schmidt Sciences, Rock’s work should provide priceless insights into how AI is developing and what that means for society. By daringly incorporating AI education into its curriculum, Penn gives students the information and abilities they need to successfully navigate the rapidly evolving field of technological innovation.
