Carlos Guestrin Named Director of Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL), Joining Efforts with Stanford CS and HAI

STANFORD, California, Feb. 17, 2025 — The Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) and Stanford University’s Computer Science Department today announced that Carlos Guestrin, the Fortinet Founders Professor of Computer Science, has been appointed as the new director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL). A distinguished AI researcher and Stanford alumnus, Guestrin brings a wealth of expertise in machine learning and AI systems, with a career spanning academia, industry, and groundbreaking AI innovations.

Alongside Guestrin’s appointment, Stanford announced that SAIL has been integrated with the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) as a joint laboratory between the Computer Science Department and HAI. This new structure strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration across AI research areas and reinforces Stanford’s leadership in advancing AI for societal benefit.

“SAIL is a celebrated institution with a profound and far-reaching impact on every wave of AI,” said Carlos Guestrin, Director of SAIL. “It has been at the forefront of transformative AI research for decades, and I am honored to lead the lab as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation. Through deeper collaboration with Stanford HAI, we will not only advance cutting-edge research but also ensure AI’s benefits extend across society.”

Guestrin, who earned his MS and Ph.D. at Stanford, is an internationally recognized leader in AI. His numerous accolades include the IJCAI Computers and Thought Award, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), and membership in the National Academy of Engineering. He has also received the ONR Young Investigator Award, an NSF Career Award, an Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, and an IBM Faculty Fellowship. In 2008, Popular Science named him one of the “Brilliant 10” for his contributions to AI and machine learning.

Guestrin succeeds Christopher Manning, the Thomas M. Siebel Professor in Machine Learning and HAI Associate Director and Senior Fellow, who led SAIL following the tenure of Fei-Fei Li, Sequoia Professor in the Computer Science Department and HAI Co-Director and Senior Fellow. 

“I’m excited to see Carlos take SAIL to the next level,” said Mehran Sahami, Chair of the Computer Science Department at Stanford University. “By doubling down on SAIL’s deep technical collaborations across Computer Science, HAI, and the entire university, we will maximize the impact of Stanford’s AI initiatives and of the research of our faculty and students.”

“With the rapid evolution of AI, it is increasingly clear that AI and human-centered AI should not be separate fields,” added James Landay, Stanford HAI Co-Director and Professor of Computer Science. “By integrating SAIL with both the Computer Science Department and HAI, we can accelerate groundbreaking research while ensuring AI serves society in responsible and beneficial ways.”

Under Guestrin’s leadership, SAIL will continue its legacy as Stanford’s center of excellence in technical AI, shaping the future of the field through research, education, and real-world impact.

About the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) 

The Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) is an interdisciplinary institute established in 2019 to advance AI research, education, policy, and practice to improve the human condition. Stanford HAI brings together thought leaders from academia, industry, government, and civil society to shape the development and responsible deployment of AI. We believe AI should be guided by its human impact, inspired by human intelligence, and designed to augment, not replace, people. Our interdisciplinary faculty conducts research focused on guiding the development of AI technologies intended to enhance human capabilities while ensuring its ethical, fair, and transparent use.

About the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL)

The Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL), founded in 1963 by Professor John McCarthy, remains a thriving hub of innovation and academic excellence. Through multidisciplinary collaborations and pioneering research, SAIL has played a pivotal role in shaping the field of AI—developing groundbreaking technologies, training the next generation of researchers, and advancing the theoretical foundations of artificial intelligence. The methods pioneered at SAIL are now integral to AI-powered systems worldwide, driving transformative applications in fields such as education, healthcare, and beyond. More than just a research institution, SAIL fosters an open, collaborative, and welcoming community that continues to fuel AI’s most significant discoveries.