Isaac Robinson, a graduate of Mathematics and Computer Science. Originally from Milton, Massachusetts, Isaac is passionate about digital governance, artificial intelligence, and electoral systems.  His professional experience includes work at Jane Street, Facebook, and the National Institute of Health. While at Harvard, he served as a Roberts Family Fellow, Co-president of the Harvard College Democrats, DIB Fellow at SEAS and a heavyweight rower. Currently, he has been recognized as a Rhodes Scholar and is pursuing advanced computer science at Oxford.

HTR: 

As someone considered an innovator, how do you define and embrace innovation in your daily life?

Isaac: 

I’m humbled by the label, although I’m not sure I’d call myself an innovator. To me, it’s about balancing what’s currently trending with what I personally find intriguing and important. For instance, as cryptocurrencies and generative AI gain traction, it’s important to examine their fairness implications. But it’s equally crucial to dedicate time to topics that pique my personal interest, even if they aren’t the current talk of the town.

Being an innovator doesn’t mean always being ahead of the curve or making the right predictions. Instead, it’s about dedicating part of your time to current trends and another part to what you think is interesting or will be important in the future. This collective mindset takes the pressure off needing to predict the next big thing. As long as you’re contributing, you’re part of a whole that’s driving positive change. It’s a shared endeavor rather than an individual one.

HTR: 

Could you share what inspired your passion for math and computer science? Was it a field that piqued your interest at a young age? 

Isaac: 

Certainly. I’ve always found myself drawn to the STEM fields, largely because of their structured way of thinking, which resonated with my own thought process. It wasn’t until later in high school that I had the opportunity to study computer science and mathematics. But once I started, it became clear how impactful computer science can be, both positively and negatively. I also found the theoretical nature of mathematics helpful in framing computational problems in a more structured way, which proved invaluable as I pursued more advanced computer science classes.

HTR: 

At Harvard, were there any pivotal courses, within and outside the STEM fields, that you found most intriguing?

Isaac: 

Absolutely. In computer science, four key courses come to mind. The first is CS 181, an introduction to machine learning. This course demystifies how some technologies we hear about in the news work, along with their limitations. Understanding why an AI model like ChatGPT, though it can sound incredibly human, is limited due to its reliance on statistical prediction of the next word, was invaluable.

Three other courses, CS 226 with Cynthia Dwork, CS 136 with David Parkes, and CS 238 with Ariel Procaccia , expanded my understanding of what computer science could be. Stat 110 was also one of my favorite courses, because it teaches you a new way of thinking that is applicable to both academic and non-academic life. That is a class I truly recommend to everyone, even those outside of STEM.  

Outside STEM, one notable course was Government Technology with Professor LaTanya Sweeney. It provided a framework to analyze the impact of technology pre-launch, from a technological, political, sociological, or fairness standpoint. I believe this course would be immensely beneficial for any aspiring technologist. English 276lr with Henry Louis Gates was also a class that, while completely out of my comfort zone, taught me the most in terms of not only black literature, but also how to speak confidently, think and read critically, and weave historical threads into a cohesive depiction of a literary movement.  

HTR: 

Do you have any advice for current undergraduates about seeking mentorship or guidance from their professors?

Isaac:

Most professors, regardless of how busy or renowned they are, will take the time to engage with you if you show genuine interest in their work. It’s crucial not to send generic inquiries to multiple professors. If you’re willing to understand their work and how it could align with your goals, they’re likely to help you achieve those ambitions. They’ve dedicated their lives to the advancement of their field, and if they see a similar passion in you, they will support you.

So, engage with their work, take their courses, and reach out respectfully and persistently. Remember to be patient, as their schedules can be tight, sometimes involving high-profile commitments. Don’t hesitate to reach out. Every professor I’ve interacted with has been remarkably helpful and generous with their time, which I’ve appreciated as an undergraduate.

HTR:

You’ve worked extensively in the political space as well as biology and economics. How do you decide which direction to take and balance exploring various passions versus focusing on a specific long-term goal?

Isaac: 

That’s an important question. My wide-ranging explorations have imbued me with greater confidence. As I’ve honed in on my areas of interest, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of research, the unexpected intersections of different fields. For example, the paper I’m co-presenting in Switzerland combines insights from various courses, like fairness and predictors from 226 and mechanism design and fair allocation from 136 and 238. 

My advice would be to explore as many potential passions as possible for as long as you can. The narrative will fall into place. It’s difficult, though not impossible, to pinpoint exactly what you want to do from high school or college onward. It’s okay to not know and to let the story unfold organically. Life is long and fields evolve quickly. Your focus should be on what you currently find most fascinating and what you think will make the most impact. Don’t feel pressured to map out the next decade of your academic journey.

HTR: 

Along those lines, could you mention some hobbies or organizations you’ve participated in on campus, which, though not directly CS-related, have surprisingly benefited you?

Isaac: 

I’ve had the opportunity to be part of various groups, such as the Crimson, Law Review, and the rowing team. The rowing team, for instance, was a unique experience. It introduced me to new people and forced me to focus on something entirely unrelated to my academic pursuits, which I think is healthy. Taking a break from your discipline allows you to return with a fresh perspective. I also learned the importance of small, local impact through my involvement with the Harvard Democrats. We often feel pressured to make a global impact, forgetting that even small local efforts can add up over time and make a significant difference.

HTR:

Looking towards the future, especially as you prepare for grad school, what are you most excited about in terms of emerging innovations? Conversely, are there aspects of the future of innovation that concern you?

Isaac: 

Absolutely, on a personal note, I’m truly excited to become a grad student. I genuinely enjoyed my undergraduate thesis research project. The process was distinctively different, more elongated, and steered by my Professor, Dr. Procaccia, my  mentors Jamie Tucker-Foltz, and myself, which was incredibly fulfilling.

On a broader scale, I’m thrilled to explore and engage with various facets of the social choice, economics, and CS fields, which are my areas of interest. My advisor for next year, Professor Elkind , has made significant contributions to the field and I’m looking forward to working with her. Oxford, where I’ll be studying, places great emphasis on the AI and social aspects of these fields, through the Oxford Internet Institute and their governance programs. They also collaborate closely with the European Union, providing a rich environment for my research.

I’m hoping to make sure that the theoretical work I do can be potentially implemented and is beneficial in real social settings. While I identify primarily as a theorist, I am interested in making the theoretical aspects more applicable to politics, governance, or society as a whole. Therefore, I anticipate exploring various ways to achieve this goal through Oxford’s different centers.

Regarding my concerns about innovation, they align with what many people are expressing. The concept of “innovate first, ask questions later” could pose certain dangers. However, we need to strike a balance because technological innovation can drastically improve people’s lives. Education struggling to keep pace with technological advancement is also concerning. If technologies are not presented in an understandable manner, they might be misused. 

I am optimistic about the future. There are intelligent people within these tech companies and academia addressing these concerns from education, regulation, and technological perspectives.

HTR: 

Looking at the far-off future, who do you aspire to be?

Isaac: 

To be honest, I haven’t figured it all out yet. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and hope to continue moving towards my areas of interest, which include computer science, economics, and fairness. I don’t foresee a linear path and I’m comfortable with deviations. In the long term, I hope to contribute to society in a way that aligns with my interests and the problems I enjoy thinking about. I don’t believe everyone needs to silo themselves into doing something they’re not passionate about. So I aim to leverage my strengths to benefit society.The details of how I will do this are still blurry, but I hope to gain clarity over the next few years, whether that’s in industry, academia, or somewhere else.

HTR: 

Lastly, what advice would you give to your freshman self about navigating Harvard?

Isaac: 

My advice would be to find good P-set buddies, or study partners, as some of my closest friends have emerged from these relationships. It’s essential to build a supportive community at Harvard, which can be an incredible yet challenging place.

Don’t be afraid to push yourself academically. But also, allowing yourself space in your schedule to think and breathe is invaluable. While a busy schedule is a part of higher education, when possible, carve out time for these moments as they can lead to memorable experiences.

I never thought I would get to work with people I have long admired, living icons like Professor Dwork, Professor Parkes, Professor Procaccia, Professor Gates, and Professor Blitzstein and not only that but that they would be such kind hearted, patient, and compassionate mentors. They have helped push me to do things that otherwise I would have been much too shy to try for, from TFing a class with Professor Dwork and Professor Blitzstein to actually for fellowships. Professor Gates taught me to speak both confidently and with humility, and to pursue passions even if they at first seem infeasible. As cliche as it is, the professors and students at Harvard are its greatest resource, and these professors along with the people I have met through their coursework – Jordan, Rebecca, Rachel, Silvia, Connor, Emin, Kevin, Kayla, Chelse, Jovi, Amanda, Peter, and Zuza to name a few – are truly what I am most thankful to take away from my Harvard experience.