Instructor: Pattie Maes, Professor of Media, Arts and Sciences 

Units: 2-0-7
Time: Wednesday 1PM-3PM
Place: E15-341
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TAs:
Abhinandan Jain <abyjain@mit.edu>
Camilo Rojas Quiros <camilorq@mit.edu>
Valdemar Munch Danry <vdanry@mit.edu>

Reach all of us at s65-instructors@media.mit.edu

Note: Prior application and approval of instructors required

This class explores how future wearable and immersive systems may help people with issues such as attention, motivation, behavior change, memory, sleep, decision making, learning, communication and emotion regulation. We will read relevant literature from Brain & Cognitive Sciences and Human-Computer Interaction to inform the design of novel systems that can help people strengthen and restore such functions. The devices we carry with or on us have access to an increasing range of real-time sensor data about our context, behavior, body and mind. They can run powerful machine learning algorithms that analyze this data to form models and predictions. We will explore how these systems can go beyond sensing and modeling to issue  interventions in real-time to support users with cognitive functions. We will discuss ethical and social issues that come up in designing such highly personal systems, and will discuss the phenomenology of human-machine integration. Students will be asked to read and comment on 1-2 papers every week, participate in class discussions, and design and implement an original project (in a small group). Platforms from the Fluid Interfaces research group will be available for experiencing and use in class projects.The class will be limited to 20 highly motivated, qualified students.

Candidates should fill out this form by Tuesday 9/7/21 noon at the latest to be considered. They will be notified by Wednesday 9/8/21 9AM. Priority will be given to people taking the class in person, for credit. 

Grading: 50% project, 30% weekly assignments, 20% class participation.