Frida Polli, an emblematic figure in behavioral science and artificial intelligence, joins MIT as an innovative fellow. She embodies a synergy between academia and the private sector, bringing unparalleled expertise. With her transition from research to entrepreneurship, Polli redefines the contours of social innovation. Her goal: to create algorithms that truly collaborate with humans. The impact of her presence promises to be decisive for the development of initiatives aimed at solving major societal challenges.
Introduction to Frida Polli
Frida Polli, a renowned neuroscientist and entrepreneur, begins a collaboration as an innovative fellow at MIT for the academic year 2024-2025. Her appointment is part of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, where she is the first to hold this position.
Academic Background and Research
Polli began her career in academic neurosciences focusing on multimodal brain imaging. Her work explores the links between health and disease, and she was a fellow in the Psychiatric Neuroimaging Group at Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School. She then continued her postdoctoral journey at the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT, where she collaborated with recognized emeritus professor John Gabrieli.
Her research has been widely recognized, earning her various awards, including the Young Investigator Award from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. She has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Journal of Neuroscience.
Transition to Entrepreneurship
After obtaining her MBA from Harvard Business School, Polli co-founded pymetrics in 2012. This company revolutionized the human capital sector by integrating advances in cognitive science and machine learning to develop decision-support software and performance enhancement tools. Polli led pymetrics until its successful exit in 2022.
Pymetrics has also been recognized as a World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneer, a high-growth company according to Inc. 5000, and ranks among Forbes’s 50 AI companies. Polli played a key role in drafting the first law on algorithmic bias in the United States, the New York Automated Employment Decision Tool law.
Return to MIT and Initiatives
Frida Polli returns to MIT with the ambition to bring together a wide range of professors, students, and postdocs to address concrete challenges related to the interaction between humans and algorithms. This initiative aims to develop a new field of computer science specific to behavioral science.
She collaborates closely with Sendhil Mullainathan, a professor in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science departments. Together, they are working to train the next generation of bilingual scientists in these fields.
Interests and Recognition
Frida Polli was recognized as one of the Top 100 Female Founders by Inc. in 2019, and she was listed among the powerful women by Entrepreneur in 2020. Her work is regularly covered by major media outlets, including The New York Times and The Economist.
Aside from her role at pymetrics, she founded Alethia AI in 2023, an organization dedicated to technological transparency, and in 2024, she launched Rosalind Ventures to invest in women founders in the fields of science and health.
Vision and Impact
Polli emphasizes the importance of developing algorithms that interact synergistically with humans. She highlights that many current algorithms are optimized without considering human interactions, often leading to inconclusive results.
She states: “Algorithms designed to work in synergy with people are imperative for solving major societal challenges.” Her approach aims to tackle issues in various fields such as education, health, and poverty alleviation.
Welcoming a Pioneer to MIT
Dan Huttenlocher, dean of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, expresses his delight at Polli’s return, stating that she perfectly embodies the profile sought for this fellowship. Her bilingual expertise and entrepreneurial experience are major assets for MIT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Frida Polli and what is her role at MIT?
Frida Polli is a recognized neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and inventor, recently appointed as an innovative fellow in residence at MIT for the academic year 2024-25. She is the first to hold this position at the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.
What are Frida Polli’s main contributions in the field of behavioral science and artificial intelligence?
Frida Polli has worked at the interface of behavioral science and artificial intelligence, developing algorithms aimed at improving interaction between humans and machines to solve societal challenges such as education and health.
What research projects does Frida Polli plan at MIT?
Frida Polli plans to bring together academics, students, and researchers to address concrete problems where humans and algorithms intersect, and to develop a new sub-discipline of computer science specific to behavioral science.
What are Frida Polli’s academic and professional backgrounds?
Frida Polli began her career in academic neuroscience at Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School. She then became a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and founded pymetrics, an innovative company related to the application of cognitive science and artificial intelligence.
What awards and recognitions has Frida Polli received throughout her career?
Frida Polli has received numerous awards, including the Young Investigator Award from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, and has been recognized among the top female founders by Inc. and Entrepreneur.
How does Frida Polli plan to integrate social impact into her work at MIT?
She aims to design algorithms that work synergistically with human beings to address major societal challenges such as poverty, education, and healthcare, thereby reinforcing her commitment to positive social impact.
What types of events or seminars might Frida Polli participate in at MIT?
Frida Polli might participate in academic seminars, research workshops, and conferences aimed at discussing the intersection between behavioral science and artificial intelligence, sharing her expertise with the MIT community.
