Peter Stone stands as a prominent figure in the realm of Artificial Intelligence, recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to machine learning, multiagent systems, and robotics. Currently serving as the Chief Scientist of Sony AI and a distinguished professor at The University of Texas at Austin, Stone’s career is marked by a relentless pursuit of creating truly intelligent agents capable of adaptation, interaction, and embodiment.
His leadership extends to the academic sphere, where he founded and directs the Learning Agents Research Group (LARG) within the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at UT Austin. Furthermore, he holds the esteemed title of Truchard Foundation Chair in Computer Science and is the Associate Department Chair and Director of Texas Robotics at the university. Before his tenure at Sony AI, Stone was also a co-founder of Cogitai, Inc., highlighting his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to translating research into real-world applications.
Stone’s research philosophy is deeply rooted in tackling challenging, real-world problems. He champions a holistic approach to research, emphasizing the importance of both developing precise, novel algorithms and rigorously evaluating their performance through fully implemented applications. This philosophy is evident in his diverse application domains, which range from robot soccer and autonomous bidding agents to the cutting-edge fields of autonomous vehicles and human-interactive agents.
Recent highlights in Peter Stone’s impactful career include:
RoboCup Success: In July 2024, WisTex United, the joint RoboCup team he co-leads with Josiah Hanna’s lab at the University of Wisconsin, achieved victory in the Challenge Shield competition of the Standard Platform League at RoboCup 2024. This win underscores his and his team’s excellence in competitive robotics and AI.
Appointment as Chief Scientist of Sony AI: Also in July 2024, Peter Stone was appointed Chief Scientist of Sony AI. This prestigious position recognizes his leadership and expertise in the field, tasking him with guiding Sony AI’s research and development efforts at the forefront of artificial intelligence.
Truchard Foundation Chair: September 2022 marked his appointment as the Truchard Foundation Chair in Computer Science at UT Austin, further solidifying his standing as a leading academic in his field.
Nature Cover Publication on Gran Turismo Sophy: February 2022 saw the publication of groundbreaking research on the cover of Nature, showcasing the development of Gran Turismo Sophy. This deep reinforcement learning agent, created in collaboration with colleagues at Sony AI, demonstrated the ability to outrace world-champion Gran Turismo drivers, marking a significant milestone in AI and gaming.
AI100 Standing Committee Chair: Since September 2021, Peter Stone has chaired the Standing Committee of the One Hundred Year Study on Artificial Intelligence (AI100). In this role, he contributes to guiding long-term research and policy discussions around AI, exemplified by the publication of the second AI100 Study Panel Report, “Gathering Strength, Gathering Storms:“.
Peter Stone’s multifaceted career reflects his dedication to advancing the field of artificial intelligence through rigorous research, impactful applications, and leadership in both academia and industry. His ongoing work continues to shape the future of AI and its integration into various aspects of our lives.
Stay connected with Peter Stone’s research and the Learning Agents Research Group through their social media channels: Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.
For more in-depth information, explore his Short, Medium, or Long Professional Bio, and access his comprehensive CV in PDF or HTML format. Delve into a chronological view of his career through his Timeline.
