Tag: AI

MIT Sloan School of Management: Latest Research, News, and Insights

The MIT Sloan School of Management continues to drive forward-thinking research and education, as highlighted by recent news from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From energy efficiency in data centers to the societal impacts of artificial intelligence, MIT Sloan is at the forefront of management science and innovation.

How Data Centers Can Better Manage Energy Use

A new study from MIT Sloan suggests that flexibility in the timing of electricity consumption could lower consumer costs. The research emphasizes the potential for data centers to adjust their energy usage patterns, reducing strain on the grid and saving money.

Exploring the Societal Impacts of AI

During the AI and Society Forum, leading MIT researchers examined critical questions about AI’s influence on employment and democracy. The event brought together experts to discuss ethical considerations and the future of work in an AI-driven world.

The Ripple Effect of Learning at MIT

MIT Professional Education helped Ignacio Vazquez SM ’22 bridge technical mastery and strategic insight, leading to his role as MIT System Design and Management industry and certificate director. This story highlights the transformative power of MIT’s educational programs.

QS Ranks MIT the World’s No. 1 University for 2026-27

Ranking at the top for the 15th year in a row, the Institute also places first in 12 subject areas. This achievement underscores MIT’s continued excellence in research and education across disciplines.

MIT’s Initiative for New Manufacturing Builds Momentum

In its first year, INM has worked across research, workforce development, and industry engagement to help accelerate new manufacturing technologies and their real-world deployment.

The Consequences of Relying on AI for Accurate News

A Media Lab study shows that, much like how GPS has weakened our navigation skills, AI can make us worse at detecting fake news. This research raises important questions about the role of AI in information consumption.

The Crucial Human Component in Computing and AI

The MIT Ethics of Computing Research Symposium brought together experts and researchers working at the heart of ethical and social impact in technology.

PATH to Boost AI Training and Career Opportunities

MIT RAISE and Georgia State University announce an initiative to connect universities, community colleges, industry, and government to expand industry-aligned AI training and career pathways.

Eleven from MIT Accept 2026 Fulbright Awards

This year, over half of MIT’s Fulbright applicants won awards. The current students and alumni will embark on research projects and teaching abroad in 2026-27.

A Day in the Life of MIT Sloan Fellow Alecia Asiamigbe

The MBA student and entrepreneur is learning to lead a more resilient future with her renewable energy company.

MIT Affiliates Elected to National Academy of Sciences for 2026

Six MIT faculty, along with 10 additional alumni, are recognized by their peers for their outstanding contributions to research in the natural and social sciences.

MIT Asia Real Estate Initiative Expands Its Footprint

The initiative plans to engage industry leaders and MIT alumni with hubs in Tokyo, Dubai, and Hong Kong.

A Day in the Life of MIT MBA Student Patrick Yeung

MIT Sloan’s Sustainability Initiative provides opportunities to lead in ways that will help build a more sustainable future.

June 26, 2026
MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences: Latest News and Research Highlights

The MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (SHASS) continues to drive interdisciplinary research and education, with recent stories highlighting faculty appointments, groundbreaking studies, and community engagement. Below is a roundup of notable updates from the school.

Faculty and Leadership

David Autor, a leading researcher in artificial intelligence and the future of work, has been named head of the Department of Economics. A faculty member since 1999, Autor’s work has shaped policy debates on automation and labor markets.

Research and Innovation

In Ghana, new research reveals how semi-communal ‘compound houses’ influence political participation, demonstrating architecture’s impact on civic engagement. Meanwhile, MIT’s AI and Society Forum explored the societal impacts of AI on employment and democracy, bringing together top researchers to address critical questions.

PhD student Chelsea Mitchell studies the economic forces shaping shipping ports, crucial for global supply chains. Thomas Levenson’s new book traces the long history of vaccine hesitancy, offering context for current public health debates. Innovative projects funded by MIT’s Climate Project are tackling extreme heat with low-cost cooling and emissions-free air conditioning.

Community and Global Reach

MIT Open Learning reaches the South Pole, where John Della Costa uses OpenCourseWare to engage fellow Antarctica ‘winterovers’ in physics and build community. The MIT Ethics of Computing Research Symposium highlighted the human component in computing and AI. Professor Sonya Atalay, a leader in community-based archaeology, links local knowledge with academic inquiry globally.

A new study shows that a locally adjusted policy with tradeable offsets and taxes can preserve wetlands without halting development. The Living Climate Futures Symposium explored community-level climate challenges and solutions. Eleven MIT affiliates accepted 2026 Fulbright awards for research and teaching abroad.

Rankings and Recognition

QS ranked MIT the world’s No. 1 university for the 15th consecutive year, placing first in 12 subject areas. The Institute also featured in Scientific American for its role in curiosity-driven science.

For more stories, visit the MIT News SHASS page.

June 26, 2026
MIT School of Engineering: Latest Research and Innovations (June 2026)

The MIT School of Engineering continues to drive breakthroughs across multiple disciplines. Recent highlights include a hands-on photonics boot camp at MIT.nano for community college students, new AI systems that help robots interpret vague instructions, and a chip design that enables tiny robots to navigate complex environments with minimal power. Researchers have also developed a computer model for more material-efficient bridges and buildings, and a new approach to modeling metal alloys at the atomic level. In game theory, generalists have been shown to outperform specialists in certain scenarios. The Institute was ranked the world’s No. 1 university by QS for the 15th consecutive year, and MIT’s Initiative for New Manufacturing is gaining momentum. Ten engineering faculty members were granted tenure in 2026. These stories reflect the breadth and impact of engineering research at MIT.

June 26, 2026
Trump’s Beijing Visit Opens Door for Nvidia Chips to Power Chinese AI Giants

President Donald Trump’s recent trip to Beijing, accompanied by a delegation including Apple’s Tim Cook, Tesla’s Elon Musk, and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, signals a potential reset in AI supply chains between the U.S. and China. The visit, focused on high-level negotiations, suggests a shift toward a transactional relationship where American semiconductor technology may support Chinese AI development.

At the state banquet, President Xi Jinping emphasized the possibility of common cause between China’s rejuvenation goals and America’s “Make America Great Again” agenda. Behind the diplomatic smiles, however, lies a strategic contest: Beijing’s “new productive forces” policy prioritizes AI, advanced manufacturing, and robotics, exemplified by the transformation of Chongqing into a high-tech megacity. Yet China remains dependent on U.S.-controlled high-end accelerators for training frontier AI models.

Nvidia’s Jensen Huang’s presence is particularly significant. After years of tightening export controls, Washington is now considering case-by-case reviews for advanced AI compute exports. Nvidia is positioned to ship H200 data center GPUs to major Chinese cloud platforms like Alibaba and Tencent. Although not the top-tier Blackwell-class chips, the H200 is roughly six times more powerful than any domestic Chinese alternative, potentially compressing AI training timelines for Chinese firms.

For Apple and Tesla, the mission focuses on supply chain stability and regulatory clarity. Apple aims to protect its manufacturing resilience and consumer base, where the iPhone 17 has seen success. Tesla views China as crucial for production and full self-driving deployment, seeking clarity on mapping and data policies to compete with domestic rivals.

This delegation represents an attempt to reverse the 20% decline in U.S. imports from China. By leveraging tech leaders for targeted access—compute in exchange for market openness and IP protections—both nations may enter a more transactional era. The true metrics of success will be the speed of Chinese hyperscalers building H200 clusters and the regulatory wins secured by Apple and Tesla. Ultimately, compute access shapes capability, and this visit suggests a hard-nosed accommodation that keeps the AI flywheel spinning on both sides of the Pacific.

June 26, 2026
Google’s AI Uses Smartphone Camera for Passive Heart Rate Monitoring with Medical Accuracy

Google researchers have developed a new deep-learning system that can passively measure a user’s heart rate through a smartphone’s front-facing camera during normal device use. The technology, described in recently published research, aims to bring medical-grade heart rate monitoring to billions of people without requiring any wearable hardware.

Resting heart rate is a key biomarker linked to cardiovascular health and long-term disease risk. High resting heart rate is associated with adverse cardiovascular events and certain chronic conditions. With roughly five billion smartphones worldwide already equipped with the necessary camera hardware, the potential for widespread passive health monitoring is significant.

How the System Works

The system, called passive heart rate monitoring (PHRM), uses the front-facing camera to record short video clips of the user’s face. A temporal shift convolutional neural network then analyzes these clips to estimate heart rate. The method relies on detecting subtle changes in light reflection caused by blood pulsing through the skin—a technique known as remote photoplethysmography (rPPG).

According to Google, the system achieves a mean absolute percentage error of less than 10%, meeting industry accuracy standards across all skin tones. “To our knowledge, PHRM marks the first large-scale demonstration of passive HR and daily RHR monitoring during everyday smartphone use,” said Eric S. Teasley, Product Manager, and Ming-Zer Poh, Staff Research Scientist at Google Research.

The researchers added: “As the only rPPG method to meet heart rate accuracy standards for people of all skin tones – even in unpredictable real-world conditions – it sets a new standard for the field. It also represents the first use of rPPG to estimate daily RHR, achieving wearable-level accuracy across all skin tones.”

Diverse Training Data and Real-World Testing

Previous studies in this area have often underrepresented people with dark skin, as melanin can make optical signals harder to detect. To address this, Google’s team built their model using more than 350,000 video clips from nearly 700 participants. The Monk Skin Tone Scale was used to ensure diverse representation: participants with light and medium skin tones each comprised at least 25% of the datasets, while those with dark skin tones made up at least 33%. This makes it the largest and most diverse rPPG study to date.

The system was tested in both laboratory and real-world conditions. In the lab, researchers recorded facial video and simultaneous electrocardiogram (ECG) data from 365 participants, and the PHRM system outperformed 15 leading published rPPG models. In a real-world study, 231 participants installed a data collection app on their phones and used them normally while wearing an ECG chest strap and a Fitbit tracker. The app captured an average of 231 video clips per day.

The researchers note that further optimization of camera exposure and handling of excessive head movement could improve performance. Google plans to make its data and modeling resources available to qualified researchers.

June 26, 2026
MIT School of Architecture and Planning: Latest News, Research, and Innovations

The MIT School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) is a hub for interdisciplinary research, education, and design, addressing some of the most pressing challenges in cities, technology, and society. Below are recent highlights from the school, covering breakthroughs in urban studies, augmented reality, AI ethics, climate resilience, and more.

Jinhua Zhao Appointed Head of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning

An expert in behavioral science and transportation, Jinhua Zhao combines these studies with AI and public policy to address urgent urban challenges. He will lead the department starting June 11, 2026.

Augmented Reality System for Easier Medical Ultrasound Interpretation

MIT researchers have designed an ultrasound system that creates a real-time 3D representation of the object being imaged, making it easier for clinicians to interpret scans. The breakthrough was reported on June 10, 2026.

The Consequences of Relying on AI for Accurate News

A Media Lab study shows that, much like GPS has weakened navigation skills, AI can reduce our ability to detect fake news. The findings were published on June 9, 2026.

MIT SPURS Program Looks to the Future of Urban Technology and Policy

As the international program approaches its 60th year, leaders are reshaping its curriculum to address emerging technologies and policies shaping urban planning. Announced on June 9, 2026.

Chris Zegras Appointed Director and CEO of Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology

The professor of mobility and urban planning will lead MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, effective June 9, 2026.

Innovative Projects to Deal with Extreme Heat

Low-cost personal cooling and emissions-free air conditioning are among the ideas studied with MIT’s Climate Project seed funding, reported on June 8, 2026.

The Crucial Human Component in Computing and AI

The MIT Ethics of Computing Research Symposium brought together experts working on ethical and social impacts of technology, held on June 5, 2026.

PATH Initiative to Boost AI Training and Career Opportunities

MIT RAISE and Georgia State University announce an initiative connecting universities, community colleges, industry, and government to expand industry-aligned AI training and career pathways, dated June 4, 2026.

Tod Machover Receives George Peabody Medal for Contributions to Music and Technology

The George Peabody Medal, the highest honor from the Peabody Institute, was awarded to Tod Machover on June 3, 2026.

Alejandro Aravena Urges SA+P Graduates to Lead with Kindness, Honor the Truth

“All of us need to feel we are valuable,” said the SA+P Commencement speaker, a Chilean architect and Pritzker Prize winner, on May 29, 2026.

Designing a Career, On and Off the Track, at MIT

Senior Krystal Montgomery explored design courses to shape a career in web development. As a national champion in track, balancing athletics and academics was key to her success, reported on May 27, 2026.

Bridging Real Human Movement with Digital Technology

MIT.nano Immersion Lab collaborates with Emerson College students to advance the art of virtual production, announced on May 26, 2026.

For more updates, visit the MIT School of Architecture and Planning news page.

June 26, 2026
How Huawei’s AI-Powered Monitoring Platform Is Rescuing the Critically Endangered White-Headed Langur

In the limestone karst mountains of Guangxi, southern China, technology is playing a pivotal role in bringing a critically endangered primate back from the brink. The white-headed langur, a species found only in Chongzuo and rarer than the giant panda, is experiencing a population recovery thanks to an intelligent monitoring platform powered by artificial intelligence by Huawei.

The platform, developed in partnership with the Guangxi Chongzuo White-headed Langur National Nature Reserve and the China-ASEAN Artificial Intelligence Application Cooperation Center, uses video-based animal monitoring devices deployed along cliffs. These devices collect real-time data on the langurs’ distribution, surroundings, and activity patterns. AI-driven automated labeling and data analytics then process this information to create a comprehensive dashboard for visualized management.

To date, the system has recorded over 37,200 instances of langur activity, providing researchers with unprecedented insights into the species’ behavior and habitat use. This AI system excels at processing complex geographical data in the challenging karst landscape, which would be extremely difficult to monitor with conventional methods alone.

Technology operates within a broader conservation framework that includes legal protection and ecological restoration. The Chongzuo White-Headed Langur Habitat Protection Regulations provide the legal foundation, while efforts have restored 77.6 hectares of habitat, built two drinking water sources and 18 water drinking points, and constructed two ecological corridors. As a result, the white-headed langur population has grown to more than 1,400 individuals across 130 groups.

Huawei Guangxi Deputy General Manager Tian Yongsheng notes that the company is committed to conserving nature with technology. The project demonstrates AI’s immense value in processing complex geographical data and massive volumes of species data. Huawei’s digital inclusion projects for environmental protection have been implemented in 65 protected areas worldwide, improving biodiversity conservation efficiency and showcasing the scalability of AI-powered conservation solutions across diverse ecosystems.

June 26, 2026
Coupa Honors 2026 Partner Award Winners at Inspire Conference, Emphasizing AI and Procurement Innovation
Coupa has announced the winners of its 2026 Partner Awards during the Coupa Inspire Partner Summit in Las Vegas, celebrating the ecosystem driving next-generation procurement, automation, and AI-powered business transformation. The awards recognize partners that have delivered measurable value, accelerated digital innovation, and helped enterprises modernize operations at scale using the Coupa platform.

“We are thrilled to recognize our 2026 award winners for their unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Greg Harbor, Chief Partner Officer at Coupa. “Our partners are the backbone of the Coupa community, helping our mutual customers drive margin growth and future-proof their operations. Together, we are achieving ambitious goals and shaping the future of spend management.”

Global Partner of the Year

The awards placed strong emphasis on AI-enabled transformation, operational resilience, and data-driven decision-making — areas increasingly critical as enterprises scale automation and improve visibility across global supply chains. Accenture received Coupa’s highest distinction: Global Partner of the Year, recognized for exceptional impact across customer success, innovation, global delivery, and strategic collaboration. According to Coupa, Accenture earned the award for its strong global performance, customer outcomes, and ability to align Coupa’s autonomous spend management capabilities with complex enterprise transformation initiatives.

Sales Partners of the Year

These partners expanded the Coupa community by helping organizations solve unique regional and market-specific spend challenges:
- North America: Cross Country Consulting
- EMEA: KPMG EMEA
- APJ: KPMG Japan
- Latin America: Accenture
Customer Success Partners of the Year

Recognized for driving adoption and ensuring customers exceed their business goals:
- North America: KPMG USA
- Latin America: Paramētā
- EMEA: Supply Chain Partner
- APJ: FourPL
Specialized Partner Winners
- Supply Chain Partner of the Year: Miebach Consulting
- Independent Delivery Partner of the Year: Acquis Consulting Group
- Coupa App Marketplace Partner of the Year: Rossum
- Coupa Pay Digital Payments Partner of the Year: Viewpost
- Coupa Pay Virtual Card Partner of the Year: Mastercard
- Coupa Advantage Partner of the Year: Lowe’s
- AI Partner of the Year: PwC
- Innovation Partner of the Year: DataMap
Channel and Emerging Partners

Honoring partners rapidly scaling their Coupa practices and bringing autonomous spend management to new markets:
- Reseller of the Year – North America: RSM
- Reseller of the Year – International: Procurion GmbH
- New Breakout Partner – Americas: Clearsulting
- New Breakout Partner – International: Cogniviti Labs
Coupa Inspire 2026 continues to spotlight the pivotal role of partners in driving AI-driven procurement transformation and operational excellence across industries.
June 26, 2026
Jotform AI Transforms Data Collection with Conversational Form Building

Jotform has launched a new conversational AI tool that lets users create, edit, and deploy forms simply by describing what they need — either by typing or speaking. The tool, called Jotform AI, is designed to eliminate manual configuration and speed up form creation.

Users can go from an idea to a live form in seconds. By describing the desired form through a persistent chat interface in the Jotform Workspace, the AI assistant named Podo generates a fully structured form complete with fields, conditional logic, and design styling. The assistant can also handle editing tasks like renaming fields or adding multi-step conditional logic.

A companion feature, the Form Copilot, works inside the Form Builder itself. Instead of manually adjusting settings, users can ask the Copilot to reorder questions, add conditional fields, generate scoring calculations, or create notification and autoresponder email workflows.

Jotform AI includes several exclusive capabilities not commonly found in other form-building tools: AI-generated calculations for scoring, totals, and field calculations; AI-driven notification email generation; AI-generated test submissions; and an AI assistant that answers product questions with guidance across a broader feature set.

Users can upload spreadsheets or documents and have Jotform AI automatically convert the content into a structured form. Uncommon branding tools allow teams to match form styling to an existing website or brand kit by simply supplying a URL or image file.

Aytekin Tank, Founder and CEO at Jotform, said: “Jotform AI represents the next stage of our evolution, inspiring people to create any form experience they can imagine, however they like. Jotform has shifted from a traditional form and productivity tool to an intelligent data management platform that executes at the request of a prompt.”

The practical applications cover industry, team, device, and use types. Adaptive forms with conditional logic can dynamically adjust based on user responses without manual rule configuration. High-volume form testing allows teams to simulate realistic submissions and validate logic before distribution. On-brand styling updates colors, fonts, and backgrounds conversationally. Integrated workflows streamline data to storage, CRM, or management solutions. Mobile-ready creation lets users build forms on the go by talking to the AI or uploading pictures.

Jotform AI combines end-to-end conversational creation with advanced automation inside an enterprise-ready ecosystem, setting a new bar for form builders.

June 26, 2026
Accenture Acquires Alfahealth to Advance AI-Powered Healthcare in Italy

Accenture has announced its agreement to acquire Alfahealth, an Italian digital health technology company, in a move that underscores the growing importance of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The acquisition aims to strengthen Accenture’s capabilities in delivering AI-driven, data-secure, and personalized care across Italy’s healthcare system.

Alfahealth brings over two decades of experience in developing digital health platforms that support patient journeys, clinical workflows, diagnostics, and administrative operations. By integrating Alfahealth’s technology with Accenture’s expertise in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics, healthcare organizations will gain access to more intelligent and connected systems. These systems can unify data from hospitals, clinics, community providers, and public institutions, enabling advanced AI applications such as predictive analytics, automated workflow optimization, and real-time clinical insights.

Teodoro Lio, Market Unit Lead for Accenture in Italy, emphasized the strategic timing: “Italy is at a pivotal moment in the transformation of its healthcare system, with growing investments in digital health, interoperability, and new models of care.” He added that the combination will help healthcare providers accelerate innovation, improve care delivery, and enable more connected, data-driven experiences for all Italians.

The acquisition also adds approximately 1,200 healthcare specialists to Accenture’s team, bolstering its ability to deliver large-scale transformation initiatives. As healthcare systems face pressure from aging populations and rising demand, AI-driven automation and decision support are becoming essential. This deal positions Accenture to help Italy move toward predictive, preventive, and personalized care models, leveraging AI for earlier disease detection, optimized resource allocation, and enhanced patient engagement.

June 26, 2026