# Richard Fikes

> American artificial intelligence researcher (born 1942)

**Wikidata**: [Q7325676](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7325676)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Fikes)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/richard-fikes

## Summary
Richard Fikes is an American artificial intelligence researcher and computer scientist born in 1942. He serves as an academic and university teacher at Stanford University, where he is affiliated with the Computer Science Department. A Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), he is known for his contributions to computer science and his academic lineage connecting cognitive scientist Allen Newell to a new generation of researchers.

## Biography
- **Born:** October 4, 1942 in San Antonio, United States
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** Carnegie Mellon University
- **Known for:** Artificial intelligence research and academic leadership
- **Employer(s):** Stanford University
- **Field(s):** Computer science
- **Doctoral Advisor:** Allen Newell
- **Doctoral Students:** Alon Y. Halevy, Todd William Neller, Sampath Srinivas

## Contributions
Richard Fikes has dedicated his career to the advancement of computer science and artificial intelligence within academia. As a faculty member at Stanford University, he has held a dual role as a researcher and university teacher, influencing the curriculum and direction of the Computer Science Department.

His contributions are notably evidenced by his mentorship of doctoral students who have gone on to have significant careers in the field. He supervised the PhD work of Alon Y. Halevy, a prominent Israeli-American computer scientist known for his work in data integration and the semantic web. Additionally, he advised Todd William Neller and Sampath Srinivas.

Fikes’s standing in the scientific community was solidified in 1990 when he was named a Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), a recognition reserved for individuals who have made significant, sustained contributions to the field of artificial intelligence. His professional archives are maintained at the Stanford University Libraries Department of Special Collections and University Archives, preserving his academic legacy for future researchers.

## FAQs

### Q: What is Richard Fikes known for?
A: Richard Fikes is known for being an American artificial intelligence researcher and a longtime academic at Stanford University. He is recognized for his work in computer science and for being an AAAI Fellow.

### Q: Where did Richard Fikes receive his education?
A: According to academic records, Richard Fikes was educated at Carnegie Mellon University. It was here that he worked with his doctoral advisor, Allen Newell.

### Q: Who are some notable students of Richard Fikes?
A: Richard Fikes supervised several doctoral students, including Alon Y. Halevy, Todd William Neller, and Sampath Srinivas.

### Q: What awards has Richard Fikes received?
A: He was elected a Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) in 1990.

## Why They Matter
Richard Fikes acts as a central node in the history of artificial intelligence research, bridging the foundational era of cognitive science with the modern era of web and data science. His direct lineage from Allen Newell—a giant in the field of cognitive science and artificial intelligence—places him within one of the most influential academic trees in computer science history.

His work at Stanford University, a leading institution in the tech world, has allowed him to shape the development of AI through both his own research and the mentorship of subsequent leaders in the industry. By training researchers like Alon Y. Halevy, Fikes has had a multiplier effect on the field, influencing areas such as data management and semantic technologies. His recognition as an AAAI Fellow underscores the esteem with which his peers regard his contributions to the discipline.

## Notable For
- **AAAI Fellow:** Elected in 1990 for significant contributions to artificial intelligence.
- **Stanford Affiliation:** Long-standing affiliation with the Stanford University Computer Science Department.
- **Academic Lineage:** Served as a doctoral student to Allen Newell and advisor to Alon Y. Halevy.
- **Archival Legacy:** His professional papers and work are archived at the Stanford University Libraries.
- **Early AI Researcher:** Active during the formative decades of modern AI (born 1942).

## Body

### Academic Background and Career
Richard Earl Fikes (born October 4, 1942, in San Antonio, Texas) is a distinguished American computer scientist and academic. He pursued his higher education at Carnegie Mellon University, a hub for artificial intelligence research. During his time there, he completed his doctoral studies under the supervision of Allen Newell, a pioneering cognitive scientist and Turing Award winner.

Fikes has spent a significant portion of his career at Stanford University in California. His roles have included academic, university teacher, and researcher within the Computer Science Department. His work has contributed to the broader field of computer science, with a specific focus on artificial intelligence.

### Mentorship and Influence
Fikes has played a critical role in the propagation of computer science knowledge through his mentorship of PhD candidates. His notable doctoral students include:
*   **Alon Y. Halevy:** An influential figure in database systems and web data.
*   **Todd William Neller:** Known for work in AI and games.
*   **Sampath Srinivas:** A researcher in decision-making systems.

### Recognition and Identifiers
Throughout his career, Fikes has garnered significant recognition. He is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence and was honored as a Fellow in 1990.

His professional identity is cataloged under numerous international academic identifiers, reflecting his global standing:
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n78030830
*   **ISNI:** 0000000021621640
*   **VIAF ID:** 60335297
*   **DBLP Author ID:** f/RichardFikes
*   **Mathematics Genealogy Project ID:** 71098

His official Stanford profile serves as a primary reference for his current academic status and history.

## Schema Markup
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  "nationality": {"@type": "Country", "name": "United States"},
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## References

1. [Source](https://profiles.stanford.edu/richard-fikes)
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. [Source](https://aaai.org/about-aaai/aaai-awards/the-aaai-fellows-program/elected-aaai-fellows/)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File