William S. Floyd Jr. Distinguished Chair in Engineering, UC Berkeley, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, Ambi Robotics and Jacobi Robotics, Chair of Steering Committee and Founding Member, Berkeley AI Research (BAIR) Lab
Ken Goldberg is a distinguished academic, researcher, and innovator in the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence, and engineering. He currently holds the prestigious position of William S. Floyd Jr. Distinguished Chair in Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, a role he has occupied since July 1995.
At UC Berkeley, Goldberg's contributions span multiple departments and initiatives:
- Professor in the Industrial Engineering / Operations Research (IEOR) Department
- Director of the AUTOLAB and CITRIS "People and Robots" Initiative
- Chair of SC and Founding Member of the Berkeley AI Research (BAIR) Lab
- Joint appointments in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS), Art Practice, and the School of Information
- Joint appointment in Radiation Oncology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Goldberg's academic journey began at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a BSE in Electrical Engineering and Economics through the Management & Technology program, combining engineering studies with business education at the Wharton School from 1979 to 1984. He then pursued his doctorate at Carnegie Mellon University, obtaining a Ph.D. in Computer Science in 1990.
Before joining UC Berkeley, Goldberg served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California from 1991 to 1995, laying the groundwork for his future academic career.
In addition to his academic roles, Goldberg has ventured into the private sector. Since April 2018, he has been serving as the Chief Scientist at Ambidextrous, a company likely focused on robotics or AI applications in industry.
Throughout his career, Goldberg has made significant contributions to the fields of robotics and AI. His work at the AUTOLAB and the CITRIS "People and Robots" Initiative suggests a focus on developing advanced robotic systems and exploring the intersection of human-robot interaction. As a founding member of the Berkeley AI Research Lab, he has been at the forefront of artificial intelligence research and development.
Goldberg's diverse appointments across engineering, computer science, art practice, and information science highlight his interdisciplinary approach to research and education. This cross-disciplinary expertise allows him to bridge technical innovations with practical applications and artistic expressions.
His joint appointment in Radiation Oncology at UCSF indicates involvement in applying robotics and AI to medical fields, potentially in areas such as precision surgery or radiation therapy.
As an educator, Goldberg has likely mentored numerous students and researchers over his decades-long tenure at UC Berkeley, shaping the next generation of engineers, computer scientists, and roboticists.
While not explicitly mentioned in his LinkedIn profile, it's common for academics of Goldberg's stature to have published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, presented at international conferences, and possibly held editorial positions in scientific publications.
Ken Goldberg's career exemplifies the convergence of academic research, technological innovation, and practical application in the rapidly evolving fields of robotics and AI. His work continues to contribute to advancements that have the potential to significantly impact various sectors, from industry to healthcare and beyond.
Citations: [1] https://www.linkedin.com/in/goldbergken/