TLDR: Josh Joseph has been appointed as the first Chief AI Scientist at the Berkman Klein Center, signaling a significant commitment to in-house AI research focused on public interest, ethics, and governance.
The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University has announced the appointment of Josh Joseph as its inaugural Chief AI Scientist, effective July 31, 2025. This new role underscores the Center’s deepened commitment to in-house artificial intelligence research and its dedication to advancing AI in the public interest.
In his new capacity, Joseph will spearhead initiatives to measure and guide the agency of AI systems, develop benchmarks that extend beyond conventional notions of ‘intelligence,’ and build the Center’s internal AI research infrastructure. His previous collaborations with the Berkman Klein Center have already been instrumental in shaping critical discussions surrounding AI’s development and its societal impact.
Jonathan Zittrain, Faculty Director, expressed his enthusiasm for Joseph’s appointment, stating, ‘I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Josh on several projects over the years, and I’m thrilled to see him take on this new role. His curiosity, humility, and dedication to public interest technology make him an exceptional partner. With his rare combination of intellectual rigor and warmth, Josh brings clarity and care to the future of AI.’
Joseph brings a wealth of experience, combining extensive academic expertise with practical industry knowledge. He holds a Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT, where his research focused on how artificial systems learn to operate in complex environments. His career includes developing AI systems across diverse sectors such as finance and life sciences. He also served as Chief Intelligence Architect of MIT’s Quest for Intelligence, an interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to understanding and engineering intelligence.
Furthermore, Joseph is the co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Covariance.ai, an MIT-based startup recognized as a STEX25 company and awarded the 2024 Cubies Innovation Prize by Harvard’s D^3 Institute. He currently maintains dual appointments as a Visiting Scientist at MIT and a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School.
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Alex Pascal, BKC’s new Executive Director, highlighted the significance of Joseph’s appointment: ‘Josh’s appointment marks a milestone in BKC’s growth as a leader in rigorous, interdisciplinary AI research. With his very ‘BKC’ blend of technical AI expertise, intellectual creativity, and multisector experience, Josh will strengthen our capacity for cutting-edge AI scholarship, convening, and tool-building to advance AI in the public interest.’ Joseph has been a long-standing member of the BKC community, having co-taught ‘Agentic AI and the Law,’ contributed to AI-related courses, and participated in the 2021 Assembly Program. His return signifies an exciting new chapter for the Berkman Klein Center, reinforcing its commitment to public interest-driven AI research and its leadership in shaping the future of this transformative technology.
