# Michael Mateas

> American artificial intelligence researcher

**Wikidata**: [Q65015461](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q65015461)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/michael-mateas

## Summary
Michael Mateas is an American computer scientist and artificial intelligence researcher known for his work in AI-driven interactive storytelling and social interaction systems. He is a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a key figure in the development of AI models for narrative and game design.

## Biography
- **Born**: [Not specified in source material]
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**:
  - University of the Pacific
  - Portland State University
  - Carnegie Mellon University (Ph.D., advised by Jaime Carbonell and Joseph Bates)
- **Known for**: AI research in interactive storytelling, social AI systems, and computational creativity
- **Employer(s)**:
  - University of California, Santa Cruz (2006–present)
  - Georgia Tech (2003–2006)
  - Carnegie Mellon University (1996–2002)
  - Intel (1995–1996)
  - Tektronix (1993–1995)
  - Portland State University (1991–1993)
- **Field(s)**: Artificial intelligence, computer science, human-computer interaction

## Contributions
Michael Mateas has made significant contributions to AI-driven interactive storytelling and social interaction systems. His work includes the development of *Comme Il Faut* (2010), a social AI system that models social norms and interactions in a playable format. He has also contributed to the field of computational creativity, particularly in the context of video games and narrative generation. His research explores how AI can enable machines to exhibit intelligent behavior in complex, dynamic environments. Mateas has advised numerous doctoral students who have gone on to make their own contributions to AI and computer science, including Mark J. Nelson, Adam M. Smith, and Chaim Gingold.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Michael Mateas known for?
A: Michael Mateas is known for his research in artificial intelligence, particularly in interactive storytelling and social AI systems. He developed *Comme Il Faut*, a social AI system, and has contributed to computational creativity and narrative generation.

### Q: Where does Michael Mateas work?
A: Michael Mateas is a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he has been since 2006. He has previously worked at Georgia Tech, Carnegie Mellon University, and in industry roles at Intel and Tektronix.

### Q: Who were Michael Mateas's doctoral advisors?
A: Michael Mateas's doctoral advisors were Jaime Carbonell and Joseph Bates, both prominent computer scientists.

### Q: What is *Comme Il Faut*?
A: *Comme Il Faut* is a social AI system developed by Michael Mateas in 2010. It provides a playable model of social interaction, using reusable and recombinable representations of social norms and interactions.

## Why They Matter
Michael Mateas has significantly advanced the field of artificial intelligence by bridging the gap between computational models and human-like social interactions. His work on *Comme Il Faut* and other AI systems has influenced the development of interactive storytelling and computational creativity, particularly in video games and narrative design. His research has also shaped the careers of numerous doctoral students, who have gone on to contribute to AI and computer science. Without his work, the field of AI-driven narrative and social interaction would lack key theoretical and practical foundations.

## Notable For
- Developing *Comme Il Faut*, a social AI system for modeling social interactions (2010).
- Advancing research in AI-driven interactive storytelling and computational creativity.
- Advising influential doctoral students, including Mark J. Nelson, Adam M. Smith, and Chaim Gingold.
- Holding academic positions at top institutions, including the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Carnegie Mellon University.
- Contributing to the field of human-computer interaction through AI research.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Michael Mateas earned his undergraduate degree from the University of the Pacific and later attended Portland State University. He completed his Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University, where he was advised by Jaime Carbonell and Joseph Bates, both prominent figures in computer science and AI.

### Career and Research
Mateas began his career in industry, working at Tektronix (1993–1995) and Intel (1995–1996). He then transitioned to academia, holding positions at Carnegie Mellon University (1996–2002), Georgia Tech (2003–2006), and the University of California, Santa Cruz (2006–present). His research focuses on artificial intelligence, particularly in interactive storytelling, social AI systems, and computational creativity.

### Key Contributions
- **Comme Il Faut (2010)**: A social AI system that models social norms and interactions in a playable format. This work has been influential in the study of AI-driven social interactions.
- **Doctoral Advising**: Mateas has advised numerous doctoral students who have made significant contributions to AI and computer science, including Mark J. Nelson, Adam M. Smith, and Chaim Gingold.
- **Publications and Research**: His work has been published in top-tier AI and computer science venues, contributing to the fields of human-computer interaction and narrative generation.

### Affiliations and Collaborations
Mateas has collaborated with leading researchers in AI and computer science, including his doctoral advisors Jaime Carbonell and Joseph Bates. His work has also influenced the broader AI community through his advising and research contributions.

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## References

1. [2007](https://users.soe.ucsc.edu/~michaelm/mateas-cv.html)
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. [Source](https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1mn3x85g)
4. [Source](https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0qx9h4cb)
5. [Source](https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8qr533m2)
6. [Source](https://escholarship.org/uc/item/67g658wb)
7. [Source](https://escholarship.org/uc/item/004129jn)
8. [Source](https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1340j5h2)
9. [Source](https://escholarship.org/uc/item/22v4t15r)
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File