How does human intelligence work, in engineering terms? And how can we use that deep grasp of human intelligence to build wiser and more useful machines? This year MIT launched the MIT Intelligence Quest, an initiative to discover the foundations of human intelligence and drive the development of technological tools that can positively influence virtually every aspect of society. And to help ensure that the effects of these advances will, in fact, be positive, MIT researchers are leading a rigorous consideration of the social implications of these new technologies. "The Core," one of two linked entities comprising the Intelligence Quest, will advance the science and engineering of both human and machine intelligence.

Today, MIT President L. Rafael Reif announced that Eric Schmidt, who until January was the executive chairman of Google's parent company, Alphabet, will join MIT as a visiting innovation fellow for one year, starting in Spring. Schmidt will figure prominently in MIT's plans to bring human and machine intelligence to the next level, serving as an advisor to the newly launched MIT Intelligence Quest, an Institute-wide initiative to pursue hard problems on the horizon of intelligence research. "I am thrilled that Dr. Schmidt will be joining us," says MIT President L. Rafael Reif. "As MIT IQ seeks to shape transformative new technologies to serve society, Eric's brilliant strategic and tactical insight, organizational creativity, and exceptional technical judgment will be a tremendous asset. And for our students, his experience in driving some of the most important innovations of our time will serve as an example and an inspiration."

Artificial intelligence has long been a focus for MIT. The school's been researching the space since the late '50s. But the university thinks it can do more to elevate the rapidly expanding field. This week, the school announced the launch of the MIT Intelligence Quest, an initiative aimed at leveraging its AI research into something it believes could be game-changing for the category.

Artificial intelligence has long been a focus for MIT. The school's been researching the space since the late '50s, giving rise (and lending its name) to the lab that would ultimately become known as CSAIL. But the Cambridge university thinks it can do more to elevate the rapidly expanding field.