Matthew Kearney’s Journey to MIT

Matthew Kearney, a senior at MIT and captain of the cross-country team, grew up in Austin, Texas, where he enjoyed outdoor activities and playing soccer. However, by high school, running became his primary sport. When he was considering colleges, Kearney was looking for a strong academic community and a strong team community. After an official visit with the cross-country team, he was sold on MIT.

Kearney’s MIT Experience

Kearney has found his time at MIT to be a defining part of his life. He loves the quirky, fun, and weird atmosphere and the academic and research opportunities. Kearney has been able to pursue his interests in both philosophy and computer science and engineering. He is now majoring in both fields while completing a master’s degree in computer science and engineering.

Kearney’s Research Interests

Kearney’s research interests are in the field of artificial intelligence ethics. He hopes to use his interdisciplinary education to examine and design artificial intelligence systems thoughtfully. After graduation, Kearney plans to pursue a DPhil in computer science at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

Human-Centered AI Design

Kearney is currently working on two research efforts. The first is a project with the Human Systems Lab, where he is designing downscaling methods to apply to climate data. His second research project is for his master’s thesis, where he is helping to develop a deeper understanding of large language models that are used to build tools such as ChatGPT. Beyond gaining technical knowledge, Kearney is always thinking about the ethical ramifications of these tools.

Building Deliberate Systems for Positive Impact

Kearney believes that computer science and philosophy are in constant dialogue with each other. He is inspired by the pioneers in the field of AI ethics to continue building deliberate systems that make a positive impact on the world. Kearney sees an opportunity for his work to make an impact in a range of areas, from health care to bank loans.

Closing out Strong

As Kearney wraps up his time at MIT, he is also looking forward to closing out his final track seasons strong, following the success of the cross-country team. He is excited to see what happens with the team and to go out with a bang.