Advancing Human Understanding
Building human-centered AI: Philosophy and computing at MIT
Commencement 2026: What was the highlight of your time at MIT?
World-class
research
Without human understanding, there is no understanding. We are home to scholars and artists doing transformative work in fields vital to addressing the world’s most important challenges. Our faculty develop the values, vision, and ethical compass of tomorrow’s leaders.
Our faculty are among the world’s leading experts in their fields. Here you’ll find a selection of recent publications from SHASS scholars.
Study: Firms often use automation to control certain workers’ wages
MIT economist Daron Acemoglu co-authored research showing that firms have often used automation to replace employees who specifically receive a “wage premium,” earning higher salaries than other comparable workers. “The higher the wage of the worker in a particular industry or occupation or task, the more attractive automation becomes to firms,” he says.
The tech revolution that wasn’t
Dwai Banerjee, an associate professor in the Program in Science, Technology, and Society, wrote the book “Computing in the Age of Decolonization: India’s Lost Technological Revolution,” an examination of the visionaries who wanted to turn India into a world power at making computers. “This book is about understanding how the current landscape of technological power came to be and the unequal way in which power is distributed across the world when it comes to anything to do with computing,” Banerjee says.
MIT graduates share how their SHASS education prepared them to take on the world’s greatest challenges.
Rujul Gandhi ’22
Linguistics and Philosophy (Course 24-2)
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Course 6)
“SHASS classes, such as in theater or political science, gave me a chance to learn about human connection at levels from individual to global. My current work on communication falls into this broad theme of how people connect to each other.”
Ankita Reddy ’19
Anthropology (Course 21A)
Biology (Course 7)
“My classes, discussions, and connections fostered through SHASS taught me the value of deep listening, priming me to ask difficult questions about technological solutions (and to have the courage to do so).”
Music & Theater Arts gives students the opportunity to explore these disciplines as artistic practices and as cultural, intellectual, and personal avenues of inquiry and discovery.
Music on the brain
Graduate student Claire Southard ’25 explores new frontiers in music technology.
Students learn theater design through the power of play
MIT Theater faculty invite students to draw upon their personal experiences to create evocative set, sound, and lighting designs.
Broadening student minds
If you want to make the world a better place, you need to understand how it works. SHASS plays an essential role at MIT, ensuring our students have a deep understanding of the human implications of the world’s biggest challenges.
Latest news from SHASS
Our work has broad impact at MIT and across the globe. Read the latest about new ideas coming out of SHASS.
Research from the ground up
A leading innovator in community-based archaeology, Professor Sonya Atalay works to link local know-how with academic inquiry across the globe.
A plan to preserve wetlands without stopping development
Study shows the tradeoff between conservation and growth is less stark with a locally adjusted policy featuring both tradeable offsets and taxes.
Place-based pathways to a viable future
Living Climate Futures Symposium explores climate challenges and solutions at the community level.
In the media
The Huntington and Central Square Theater win multiple Elliot Norton Awards
California has an election problem
Iran stops peace talks with U.S. to protest Israel’s continued bombardment of Lebanon
Are the roots of consciousness hidden in the ancient deep brain?
SHASS videos
Weaving economic narratives: A cross-disciplinary collaboration inspired by jamdani
