The ambitious initiative of the MIT Siegel Family Quest for Intelligence (SQI) – a core aspect of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing – is doing something spellbinding. It’s chiseling away at the enigma of intelligence, a riddle that has been puzzling scientists for centuries. How are they approaching this? By breaking down traditional academic silos and indulging in a truly interdisciplinary endeavor, inviting the prowess of neuroscience, engineering, computer science, and even the humanities to participate. This holistic approach is aiming to delve deep into the working mechanism of intelligence – in both biological systems and machines.
Leslie Pack Kaelbling, the director of research at SQI, shares their intriguing approach. “In SQI, we are studying intelligence scientifically and generically,” she elaborates, adding, “By observing how humans and animals behave and how we can emulate those behaviors in engineered systems, we hope to discover the fundamental principles that underline intelligence.”
This 21st-century quest for understanding intelligence is not restricted to theoretical discussions. SQI endeavors to use their discoveries to inform and shape future artificial intelligence technologies, creating systems that surpass the capabilities of today’s AI. And here’s the best part: By emulating the elements of natural intelligence, these future systems might turn out more adaptable, robust, and pragmatic in real-world scenarios.
Recently, a major gift from the Siegel Family Endowment has added a substantial thrust to this already high-powered effort. MIT Siegel Family Quest for Intelligence, the updated name of the initiative, signifies this generous contribution, allowing for wider research missions and enhanced technological platforms. This support fosters the creation of state-of-the-art tools and benchmarks for intelligence research.
David Siegel, the founder of the Siegel Family Endowment and a luminary in both technology and philanthropy, shares a thought-provoking perspective. “The human brain may indeed be the most complex physical system we know,” says Siegel, adding, “We take the mind for granted, yet it holds the key to understanding who we are. Backing research like SQI isn’t about immediate commercial return — it’s about progressing our understanding of ourselves and the essence of intelligence.”
That’s not all. Siegel has an enduring legacy of supporting intelligence research, such as being an early advocate of the Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines (CBMM), and establishing Open Athena, a nonprofit that bridges the gap between academic research and cutting-edge AI development.
Fast-forward to the present day, MIT President Sally Kornbluth underlines Siegel’s impact: “Of all the donors whose munificence propelled the Quest for Intelligence, David Siegel looms large. His latest gift will help shape not only the future of SQI but the broader field of intelligence research as well.”
Today, SQI stands as a global hub, interacting with international researchers, nonprofits, and industry partners, contributing towards a better understanding of both artificial and natural intelligence. Looking forward, SQI continues to evolve – its research is expanding, and the excitement of launching new initiatives, like a social intelligence mission, lights the path ahead.
This innovative journey is energized by the continued support and contribution from the SQI community, and the world caught a glimpse of this spirited collaboration during “The Next Horizon: Quest’s Future”, an event held on November 24, 2025. As the SQI community looks into the future, they remain focused on their mission: to unravel the mystery of intelligence with scientific rigor, interdisciplinary collaboration, and visionary support. The possibilities seem endless.
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