“At MIT, innovation ranges from awe-inspiring technology to down-to-Earth creativity,” noted Chronicle, during a campus visit this year for an episode of the program. In 2025, MIT researchers made headlines across print publications, podcasts, and video platforms for key scientific advances, from breakthroughs in quantum and artificial intelligence to new efforts aimed at improving pediatric health care and cancer diagnosis.
MIT faculty, researchers, students, alumni and staff helped demystify new technologies, highlighted the practical hands-on learning the Institute is known for, and shared what inspires their research with viewers, readers and listeners around the world. Below is a sampling of news moments to revisit.
Let’s take a closer look at MIT: It’s alarming to see such a complex, important institution subject to the whims of today’s politics Washington Post columnist George F. Will reflects on MIT and his view of “the damage that can be done to America’s meritocracy by policies motivated by hostility toward institutions vital to it.” Will notes that MIT has an “astonishing economic multiplier effect: MIT graduates have founded companies that have generated almost $1.9 trillion in annual revenue (a sum almost equal to Russia’s GDP) and 4.6 million jobs.”
At MIT, groundbreaking ideas blend science and breast cancer detection innovation Chronicle visited MIT this spring to learn more about how the Institute “nurtures groundbreaking efforts, reminding us that creativity and science thrive together, inspiring future advancements in engineering, medicine, and beyond.”
New MIT provost looks to build more bridges with CEOs Provost Anantha Chandrakasan shares his energy and enthusiasm for MIT, and his goals for the Institute.
Five things New England researchers helped develop with federal funding Professors John Guttag and David Mindell discuss MIT’s long history of developing foundational technologies — including the internet and the first widely used electronic navigation system — with the support of federal funding.
Bostonians of the Year 2025: First responders, university presidents, and others who exemplified courage President Sally Kornbluth is honored by The Boston Globe as one of the Bostonians of the Year, a list that spotlights individuals across the region who, in choosing the difficult path, “showed us what strength looks like.” Kornbluth was recognized for her work being of the “most prominent voices rallying to protect academic freedom.”
Practical education and workforce preparation
College students flock to a new major: AI MIT’s new Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making major is aimed at teaching students to “develop AI systems and study how technologies like robots interact with humans and the environment.”
50 colleges with the best ROI MIT has been named among the top colleges in the country for return on investment. MIT “is need-blind and full-need for undergraduate students. Six out of 10 students receive financial aid, and almost 88% of the Class of 2025 graduated debt-free.”
Desirée Plata: Chemist, oceanographer, engineer, entrepreneur Professor Desirée Plata explains that she is most proud of her work as an educator. “The faculty of the world are training the next generation of researchers,” says Plata. “We need a trained workforce. We need patient chemists who want to solve important problems.”
Taking a quantum leap
MIT launches quantum initiative to tackle challenges in science, health care, national security MIT is “taking a quantum leap with the launch of the new MIT Quantum Initiative (QMIT). “There isn’t a more important technological field right now than quantum with its enormous potential for impact on both fundamental research and practical problems,” said President Sally Kornbluth.
Peter Shor on how quantum tech can help climate Professor Peter Shor helps disentangle quantum technologies.
MIT researchers develop device to enable direct communication between multiple quantum processors MIT researchers made a key advance in the creation of a practical quantum computer.
Fortifying national security and aiding disaster response
Nano-material breakthrough could revolutionize night vision MIT researchers developed “a new way to make large ultrathin infrared sensors that don’t need cryogenic cooling and could radically change night vision for the military.”
MIT researchers develop robot designed to help first-responders in disaster situations Researchers at MIT engineered SPROUT (Soft Pathfinding Robotic Observation Unit), a robot aimed at assisting first-responders.
MIT scientists make “smart” clothes that warn you when you’re sick As part of an effort to help keep service members safe, MIT scientists created a programmable fiber that can be stitched into clothing to help monitor the wearer’s health.
MIT Lincoln Lab develops ocean-mapping technology MIT Lincoln Laboratory researchers are developing “automated electric vessels to map the ocean floor and improve search and rescue missions.”
Transformative tech
This MIT scientist is rewiring robots to keep the humanity in tech Professor Daniela Rus, director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, discusses her work revolutionizing the field of robotics by bringing “empathy into engineering and proving that responsibility is as radical and as commercially attractive as unguarded innovation.”
Watch this tiny robot somersault through the air like an insect Professor Kevin Chen designed a tiny, insect-sized aerial microrobot.
It’s actually really hard to make a robot, guys Professor Pulkit Agrawal delves into his work engineering a simulator that can be used to train robots.
Shape-shifting fabrics and programmable materials redefine design at MIT Associate Professor Skylar Tibbits is embedding intelligence into the materials around us, while Professor Caitlin Mueller and Sandy Curth PhD ’25 are digging into eco-friendly construction.
Building a healthier future
MIT launches pediatric research hub to address access gaps The Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub is addressing “underinvestment in pediatric healthcare innovations.”
Bionic knee helps amputees walk naturally again Professor Hugh Herr developed a prosthetic that could increase mobility for above-the-knee amputees. “The bionic knee developed by MIT doesn’t just restore function, it redefines it.”
MIT drug hunters are using AI to design completely new antibiotics Professor James Collins is using AI to develop new compounds to combat antibiotic resistance.
Innovative once-weekly capsule helps quell schizophrenia symptoms A new pill from the lab of Associate Professor Giovanni Traverso “can greatly simplify the drug schedule faced by schizophrenia patients.”
Renewing American manufacturing
US manufacturing is in “pretty bad shape.” MIT hopes to change that. MIT launched the Initiative for New Manufacturing to help “build the tools and talent to shape a more productive and sustainable future for manufacturing.”
Giving US manufacturing a boost Ben Armstrong of the MIT Industrial Performance Center discusses how to reinvigorate manufacturing in America.
New England companies are sparking an industrial revolution. Here’s how to harness it. Professor David Mindell spotlights how “a new wave of industrial companies, many in New England, are leveraging new technologies to create jobs and empower workers.”
Improving aging
My day as an 80-year-old. What an age-simulation suit taught me. To get a better sense of the experience of aging, Wall Street Journal reporter Amy Dockser Marcus donned the MIT AgeLab’s age-simulation suit and embarked on multiple activities.
New mobile robot helps seniors walk safely and prevent falls A mobile robot created by MIT engineers is designed to help prevent falls. “It’s easy to see how something like this could make a big difference for seniors wanting to stay independent.”
The senior population is booming. Caregiving is struggling to keep up Professor Jonathan Gruber discusses the labor shortages impacting senior care.
Upping our energy resilience
New MIT collaboration with GE Vernova aims to accelerate energy transition “A great amount of innovation happens in academia. We have a longer view into the future,” says Provost Anantha Chandrakasan of the MIT-GE Vernova Energy and Climate Alliance.
The environmental impacts of generative AI Noman Bashir, a fellow with MIT’s Climate and Sustainability Consortium, explores the environmental impacts of generative AI.
Is the clean energy economy doomed? Professor Christopher Knittel discusses how the U.S. can be in the best position for global energy dominance.
Advancing American workers
WTH can we do to prevent a second China shock? Professor David Autor explains Professor David Autor shares his research examining the long-term impact of China entering the World Trade Organization, how the U.S. can protect vital industries from unfair trade practices, and the potential impacts of AI on workers.
The fight over robots threatening American jobs Professor Daron Acemoglu highlights the economic and societal implications of integrating automation in the workforce, advocating for policies aimed at assisting workers.
Moving toward automation Research Scientist Eva Ponce of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics notes that robotics and AI technologies are “replacing some jobs — particularly more manual tasks including heavy lifting — but have also offered new opportunities within warehouse operations.”
Planetary defense and out-of-this world exploration
MIT researchers create new asteroid detection methods to help protect Earth Associate Professor Julien de Wit and Research Scientist Artem Burdanov discuss their work developing a new method to track asteroids that could impact Earth.
What happens to the bodies of NASA astronauts returning to Earth? Professor Dava Newman speaks about how long-duration stays in space can affect the human body.
Lunar lander Athena is packed and ready to explore the moon. Here’s what on board MIT engineers sent three payloads into space on a course set for the moon’s south polar region.
Scanning the heavens at the Vatican Observatory Br. Guy Consolmagno ’74, SM ’75, director of the Vatican Observatory, and graduate student Isabella Macias share their experiences studying astronomy and planetary formation at the Vatican Observatory. “The Vatican has such a deep, rich history of working with astronomers,” says Macias. “It shows that science is not only for global superpowers around the world, but it’s for students, it’s for humanity.”
The story of real-life rocket scientists Professor Kerri Cahoy takes viewers on an out-of-this-world journey into how a college internship inspired her research on space and satellites.
On the air
While digital currency initiatives expand, we ask: What’s the future of cash? Neha Narula, director of the MIT Digital Currency Initiative, examines the future of cash as the use of digital currencies expands.
The high stakes of the AI economy Professor Asu Ozdaglar, head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and deputy dean of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, explores AI’s opportunities and risks — and whether it can be regulated without stifling progress.
The LIGO Lab is pushing the boundaries of gravitational-wave research Associate Professor Matt Evans explores the future of gravitational wave research and how Cosmic Explorer, the next-generation gravitational wave observatory, will help unearth secrets of the early universe.
Space junk: The impact of global warming on satellites Graduate student Will Parker discusses his research examining the impact of climate change on satellites.
Endometriosis is common. Why is getting diagnosed so hard? Professor Linda Griffith shares her work studying endometriosis and her efforts to improve healthcare for women.
There’s nothing small about this nanoscale research Professor Vladimir Bulović takes listeners on a tour of MIT.nano, MIT’s “clean laboratory facility that is critical to nanoscale research, from microelectronics to medical nanotechnology.”
Marrying science and athletics
The MIT scientist behind the “torpedo bats” that are blowing up baseball Aaron Leanhardt PhD ’03 went from an MIT graduate student who was part of a research team that “cooled sodium gas to the lowest temperature ever recorded in human history” to inventor of the torpedo baseball bat, “perhaps the most significant development in bat technology in decades.”
Engineering athletes redefine routine After suffering a concussion during her sophomore year, Emiko Pope ’25 was inspired to explore the effectiveness of concussion headbands.
“I missed talking math with people”: why John Urschel left the NFL for MIT Assistant Professor John Urschel shares his decision to call an audible and leave his NFL career to focus on his love for math at MIT.
Making a statement, MIT’s football team dons extra head padding for safety It’s a piece of equipment that may become more widely used as research continues into its effectiveness — including from at least one of the players on the current team.
Agricultural efficiency
New MIT breakthrough could save farmers billions on pesticides MIT engineers developed a system that helps pesticides adhere more effectively to plant leaves, allowing farmers to use fewer chemicals.
Bug-sized robots could help pollination on future farms Insect-sized robots crafted by MIT researchers could one day be used to help with farming practices like artificial pollination.
See how MIT researchers harvest water from the air An ultrasonic device created by MIT engineers can extract clean drinking water from atmospheric moisture.
Appreciating art
Meet the engineer using deep learning to restore Renaissance art Graduate student Alex Kachkine talks about his work applying AI to develop a restoration method for damaged artwork.
MIT’s Linde Music Building opens with a free festival “The extent of art-making on the MIT campus is equal to that of a major city,” says Institute Professor Marcus Thompson. “It’s a miracle that it’s all right here, by people in science and technology who are absorbed in creating a new world and who also value the past, present and future of music and the arts.”
“Remembering the Future” on display at the MIT Museum The “Remembering the Future” exhibit at the MIT Museum features a sculptural installation that uses “climate data from the last ice age to the present, as well as projected future environments, to create a geometric design.”
