# Drew McDermott

> American computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q5307228](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5307228)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_McDermott)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/drew-mcdermott

## Summary
Drew McDermott was an American computer scientist and artificial intelligence researcher known for his contributions to AI and his academic leadership. He served as a professor at Yale University for over four decades and was recognized as a Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI). A prominent figure in AI education, he supervised numerous influential researchers in the field.

## Biography
- **Born**: December 27, 1949, in Madison, U.S.  
- **Nationality**: United States  
- **Education**: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)  
- **Known for**: Contributions to artificial intelligence and academic mentorship  
- **Employer(s)**: Yale University (1976–2018)  
- **Field(s)**: Computer science, artificial intelligence  

## Contributions
Drew McDermott’s work centered on advancing artificial intelligence through research and education. He supervised several notable doctoral students, including Yoav Shoham, Michael Beetz, and Shlomo Argamon, who became leaders in AI and related fields. As a professor at Yale University from 1976 to 2018, he shaped the academic trajectory of generations of computer scientists. His recognition as an AAAI Fellow in 1990 highlighted his impact on the field. While specific publications or products are not detailed in the source material, his legacy is marked by his mentorship and institutional contributions to AI research and education.

## FAQs
### Q: When did Drew McDermott die?
A: Drew McDermott died on May 26, 2022, of natural causes.

### Q: What was Drew McDermott’s role at Yale University?
A: He was a professor of computer science at Yale University from 1976 until his retirement in 2018.

### Q: Who were Drew McDermott’s notable doctoral students?
A: His students included Yoav Shoham, Michael Beetz, Ernest S. Davis, and Shlomo Argamon, among others.

## Why They Matter
Drew McDermott’s significance lies in his dual role as a researcher and educator in artificial intelligence. By mentoring students who became pivotal figures in AI, he indirectly influenced advancements in areas like robotics, natural language processing, and knowledge representation. His long tenure at Yale University helped establish its reputation in computer science, and his leadership in professional organizations like AAAI strengthened the global AI research community. Without his contributions, the evolution of AI education and the careers of several key researchers might have followed a distinctly different path.

## Notable For
- AAAI Fellow (1990)  
- 42-year tenure as a professor at Yale University (1976–2018)  
- Doctoral advisor to prominent AI researchers, including Yoav Shoham and Michael Beetz  
- Supervised over 10 doctoral students who advanced AI and related fields  

## Body
### Education
McDermott studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where his doctoral advisor was Gerald Jay Sussman, a renowned computer scientist.

### Career
He joined Yale University in 1976 and remained a faculty member until his retirement in 2018. During his career, he focused on artificial intelligence research and education, contributing to Yale’s computer science program.

### Research and Mentorship
McDermott’s research interests included knowledge representation and automated reasoning. His academic impact is evident through his supervision of doctoral students who became leaders in AI, such as:
- **Yoav Shoham** (computer scientist at Stanford University)  
- **Michael Beetz** (pioneer in robotic AI)  
- **Shlomo Argamon** (forensic linguist and data scientist)  
- **Ernest S. Davis** (AI researcher)  

### Legacy
McDermott’s legacy is defined by his role in nurturing talent in AI and his institutional contributions to Yale University. His recognition as an AAAI Fellow underscored his standing in the field, and his students’ achievements reflect his enduring influence on AI research.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Person",
  "name": "Drew Vincent McDermott",
  "jobTitle": "Professor of Computer Science",
  "worksFor": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "Yale University"},
  "nationality": {"@type": "Country", "name": "United States"},
  "birthDate": "1949-12-27",
  "birthPlace": "Madison, United States",
  "alumniOf": [{"@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology"}],
  "knowsAbout": ["Artificial Intelligence", "Computer Science"],
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  "description": "American computer scientist and artificial intelligence researcher"
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## References

1. [Source](https://fas.yale.edu/book/faculty-retirement-tributes-2018/drew-v-mcdermott)
2. [Source](https://aaai.org/about-aaai/aaai-awards/the-aaai-fellows-program/elected-aaai-fellows/)
3. Mathematics Genealogy Project
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. [Source](https://cpsc.yale.edu/people/memoriam)
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File