Computer Science Class of '60s Speaker - Tim Kraska, MIT

Generative AI is overhyped but real
Generative AI is poised to fundamentally reshape the way we work, communicate, and interact with both people and systems. Even today, it is quietly—but profoundly—changing how we develop software, seek assistance, or draft emails and documents. At the heart of this transformation are large language models and agentic systems that, while they may appear almost magical, are grounded in surprisingly simple ideas.

In this talk, I will first outline how Generative AI is enabling new modes of productivity and entirely novel user experiences. I’ll provide an accessible overview of the underlying mechanics of agentic systems, discuss their current limitations, and offer a look into the future they are making possible. Drawing on key research findings from my work at MIT and AWS, I’ll share how we’ve successfully transitioned foundational ideas into real-world systems through two MIT spin-offs. Finally, I will address common pitfalls and share actionable insights on leveraging ML and GenAI effectively in your applications.