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Matter of Minds

Advancing the Science and Engineering of Intelligence

Friday, October 30th, 2026
Schwarzman College of Computing, MIT Building 45

What makes a mind intelligent? Can machines ever come close?

The MIT Siegel Family Quest for Intelligence seeks to leverage studies of the brain to produce advances in machine learning—work that will produce not just smarter machines, but also a deeper understanding of how our brains function.

On Friday, October 30th, we invite you to join us for a day of presentations and discussions with the world’s foremost neuroscience and machine learning experts who are shaping the next generation of science, engineering, and technology. Industry experts will join to share early real-world applications of the science of intelligence, and attendees will have the opportunity to continue the conversation over lunch and a closing poster session. 

In-person and remote attendance options are available.

Speakers

Schedule

Matter of Minds: Advancing the Science and Engineering of Intelligence

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Registration

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Introduction & Roadmap

Prof. Jim DiCarlo (Director, SQI)

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Mission Lightning Talks

Prof. Leslie Kaelbling (Embodied Intelligence Mission)

Prof. Jacob Andreas (Language & Thought Mission)

Prof. Laura Schulz (Developing Intelligence)

Prof. Josh Tenenbaum (Perceptual Intelligence)

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Announcements & Platform Spotlight: memo

Speaker TBA

Kartik Chandra

12:15 PM - 1:30 PM

Lunch & Poster Session

1:30 PM - 1:40 PM

Reconvene & Afternoon Roadmap

Dan Huttenlocher, Dean of the Schwarzman College of Computing

1:40 PM - 2:10 PM

Synergy Spotlight

TBA

2:10 PM - 2:40 PM

Startup & Spinout Spotlight

TBA

2:40 PM - 3:15 PM

Fireside Chat

Katy Knight (President & Executive Director, Siegel Family Endowment)

Erik Vogan (Executive Director, SQI)

3:15 PM - 3:30 PM

Break

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Panel: The Future of the Quest

Prof. Asu Ozdaglar (moderator)

Prof. Jim DiCarlo 

Prof. Nick Roy

Prof. Josh Tenenbaum

Prof. Leslie Kaelbling

4:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Closing Remarks

Prof. Jim DiCarlo

4:45 PM - 5:30 PM

Reception