# Selmer Bringsjord

> American computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q16192619](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16192619)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selmer_Bringsjord)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/selmer-bringsjord

## Summary
Selmer Bringsjord is an American computer scientist and philosopher, best known as the director of the Rensselaer Artificial Intelligence and Reasoning Laboratory (RAIR) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). A prominent figure in artificial intelligence research, he has made significant contributions to automated reasoning, cognitive science, and the intersection of philosophy and AI.

## Biography
- **Born**: November 24, 1958  
- **Nationality**: United States  
- **Education**:  
  - PhD in Philosophy (Brown University, 1987; advisor: Roderick Chisholm)  
  - BA in Philosophy (University of Pennsylvania, 1981)  
- **Known for**: Founding and directing RAIR; research in AI, automated reasoning, and cognitive science  
- **Employer(s)**: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1987–present; full professor since 1997)  
- **Field(s)**: Computer science, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, philosophy  

## Contributions
Bringsjord has led the Rensselaer Artificial Intelligence and Reasoning Laboratory since its inception in 2002, focusing on advanced AI systems, logic-based reasoning, and their philosophical implications. He has supervised numerous doctoral students, including John Licato, Joshua A. Taylor, and Atriya Sen, and published extensively on topics such as automated theorem proving, ethical AI, and the formalization of human cognition. His work bridges computer science and philosophy, emphasizing rigorous logical foundations for AI. Notably, he co-authored *Artificial Intelligence and the "Good Life"* (2001) and contributed to research on robot ethics and human-level AI. With an Erdős number of 3, his collaborative research spans mathematics and computer science.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Selmer Bringsjord’s most notable role?  
A: He is the director of the Rensselaer Artificial Intelligence and Reasoning Laboratory (RAIR) at RPI, a position he has held since 2002.  

### Q: What are Bringsjord’s key research areas?  
A: His work focuses on artificial intelligence, automated reasoning, cognitive science, and the philosophical foundations of AI.  

### Q: Where did Bringsjord complete his academic training?  
A: He earned a PhD in philosophy from Brown University (1987) and a BA in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania (1981).  

## Why They Matter
Bringsjord’s interdisciplinary approach to AI, combining computer science, philosophy, and cognitive science, has advanced the development of logically rigorous and ethical AI systems. As director of RAIR, he has fostered innovation in automated reasoning and influenced generations of researchers through mentorship. His emphasis on integrating philosophical inquiry with technical AI development has shaped debates on the ethics and limitations of artificial intelligence, ensuring that technological progress aligns with human values and cognitive principles.

## Notable For
- Founder and director of the Rensselaer Artificial Intelligence and Reasoning Laboratory (2002–present).  
- Supervised over 10 doctoral students in computer science and AI.  
- Holds an Erdős number of 3, reflecting his collaborative impact in mathematical and computational research.  
- Full professor at RPI since 1997, with prior roles as associate and assistant professor.  
- Interdisciplinary scholar bridging philosophy, cognitive science, and AI.  

## Body
### Academic Career  
Bringsjord joined Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1987 as an assistant professor, progressing to associate professor (1992–1997) and full professor (1997–present). He taught previously at Brown University as a teaching fellow (1985–1987).  

### Research Focus  
His research at RAIR emphasizes:  
- **Automated Reasoning**: Developing AI systems capable of human-like logical deduction.  
- **Ethical AI**: Investigating formal methods for encoding ethics into artificial agents.  
- **Cognitive Architectures**: Modeling human cognition through computational frameworks.  

### Professional Memberships  
- Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI)  
- Cognitive Science Society  
- Association for Symbolic Logic  
- American Philosophical Association  

### Selected Publications  
- *Artificial Intelligence and the "Good Life"* (2001, with Naveen Sundar Govindarajulu)  
- *Ethical Robots* (2015, with John Licato)  
- *The Logic of Rational Agents* (2013, with Joshua A. Taylor)  

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## References

1. [Source](http://kryten.mm.rpi.edu/scb_vitae_010118.pdf)
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. [Source](https://science.rpi.edu/computer-science/faculty)
4. [Source](http://kryten.mm.rpi.edu/scb_vitae_050123.pdf)
5. [curriculum vitae](http://kryten.mm.rpi.edu/scb_vitae_010118.pdf)
6. [Source](https://hass.rpi.edu/departments-cognitive-science/cognitive-science-faculty)
7. [The Academic Family Tree](https://academictree.org/philosophy/tree.php?pid=383392)
8. [Source](http://www.cs.rpi.edu/~tayloj/DOCS/FluidLogics20141203.pdf)
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. [Source](https://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20230206-links.txt.gz)
11. CiNii Research
12. [From Paul Erdős to Selmer Bringsjord in three papers.](https://www.csauthors.net/distance/paul-erdos/selmer-bringsjord)
13. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File