President Kornbluth addresses the Trump administration, generative AI, and future of the Institute
In an interview with The Tech, President Kornbluth discusses the impact of the Trump administration on MIT and reflects on her recent initiatives
Michelle Xiang - The Tech
On Feb. 3, The Tech spoke with President Sally Kornbluth about the Institute’s plan in response to the Trump administration’s new policies affecting higher education and research. In the interview, Kornbluth also reflected on recent initiatives launched in 2024, including the MIT Climate Project, the MIT Human Insights Collaborative (MITHIC), and the MIT Health and Life Sciences Collaborative (MIT HEALS). Kornbluth also commented on the launch of the MIT Generative AI Impact Consortium (MGAIC), announced on Feb 3.
On the Trump administration’s impact on MIT
When asked about the impact of the Trump administration’s policies on MIT, Kornbluth stated, “Everything is in flux.” Given the uncertainty of recent events, Kornbluth shared that MIT has created working groups to address different issues that may affect MIT, such as immigration policy and research funding. Despite the many unknowns, Kornbluth emphasized that MIT’s focus is to “keep moving forward” such that the Institute maintains its status as a “national asset.”
Recent discussions with members of Congress involve how certain policies can affect higher education, particularly the finances of the Institute, such as the endowment tax and indirect cost cap. Kornbluth views her efforts as a combination of advocacy and engagement to reconcile “overlapping interests” between the two groups. Although these visits involve meeting people all across the political spectrum, Kornbluth appreciated that the dialogue thus far has been “respectful and engaged.”
Regarding the Trump administration’s policies and their impacts on MIT’s research funding, such as the threats to NIH grants, Kornbluth emphasized the role of indirect costs in research, citing “money to keep lights on” for maintaining operations as an example. Although Kornbluth knows that the government may save money via these cuts, she believes MIT is “the R&D for the country,” and the cuts will negatively affect the country’s “economic competitiveness.” For now, Kornbluth said MIT is considering all future possibilities of research cuts, as there is currently “no firm guidance” on how to navigate the situation.
Kornbluth later discussed the Institute’s plans on helping and informing students and faculty about the recent changes. She directs the MIT community to a new website of the Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR), which aims to provide regular updates on changes to research funding. Kornbluth asks that graduate students and principal investigators keep the administration informed if their grants are affected.
On MIT’s plans for generative AI
On Feb 3., Kornbluth emailed the MIT community to announce the creation of the MIT Generative AI Impact Consortium. This initiative aims to help the community investigate “high-risk, high-reward ideas” and will “bring MIT researchers together with industry leaders to explore how generative AI can spawn transformative solutions for real-world challenges.”
Within the context of MIT undergraduate education, Kornbluth noted that there were discussions underway to integrate elements of artificial intelligence across the General Institute Requirements (GIRs), a core part of the MIT curriculum. She stated that incorporating “bite-sized [AI-centric] modules” into classes could help students recognize the interconnected and interdisciplinary nature of AI. She also noted that there have been conversations around potential modifications to the GIRs, including the addition of a possible computer science requirement. Beyond the GIRs, she emphasized the importance of diving deep and exploring fields with generative AI, such as drug development for biologists.
When asked about whether MIT would enact an institute-wide AI usage policy for classes, Kornbluth noted that, as of now, AI usage policies are left to the instructors’ discretion, given that ethical AI usage is a nuanced topic both inside and outside the classroom. She believes that the Institute must continue to investigate AI as a creative and educational tool while considering the guardrails necessary for these models.
On Kornbluth’s initiatives
Although the US recently withdrew from the Paris Climate Accords, Kornbluth asserted that the MIT Climate Project will remain unaffected, with development continuing across various disciplines on technologies that address climate change, ranging from nuclear fission to decarbonizing steel. By doing so, she believes MIT can benefit the economy and climate at the same time.
Kornbluth then discussed the purpose of the MIT Human Insights Collaborative (MITHIC). In her words, by fostering collaboration between the humanities and other fields like science and engineering at MIT, MITHIC will help “set up a robust research and educational framework.” For instance, faculty could consider using economics and politics to evaluate the feasibility of a climate solution in an underdeveloped country.
After outlining the mission of MITHIC, Kornbluth shared the MIT HEALS projects that excite her the most. She believes the “interdisciplinary strength of our faculty” will help to further promote collaboration in the life sciences, citing the Ragon’s Institute cross-institutional research on the immune system as an example. Kornbluth also expressed particular interest in research by Professors Angela Belcher, Paula Hammond, and Sangeeta Bhatia on ovarian cancer. “They want to cure ovarian cancer,” Kornbluth stated, “and I actually believe they will do it.” Kornbluth looks forward to the innovations that will come out of MIT HEALS, as the initiative aims to help companies with seed funding and commercialization.
On diversity in undergraduate admissions
Despite the Supreme Court’s reversal of affirmative action, Kornbluth stated that the Admissions Office has been working towards increasing diversity in the Class of 2029 by recruiting more alumni to conduct interviews and lowering MIT’s financial barrier. Kornbluth highlighted the record number of QuestBridge matches in the Class of 2029 and the expanded financial aid policy, in which undergraduates with family incomes under $200,000 attend tuition-free. She stated that MIT uses holistic admissions. “We don’t make any selections based on wealth, and we don’t have legacy admissions,” she stated. “We really want everybody to know that.” Kornbluth concluded by stressing, “Everyone who comes to MIT belongs at MIT,” emphasizing the importance of a “OneMIT” community.