Several prominent academics specializing in artificial intelligence and computer science were linked to Jeffrey Epstein through released government documents. While appearing in the files does not imply involvement in illegal acts, these individuals are facing institutional reviews and public scrutiny for maintaining ties or soliciting funding from the disgraced financier.
The primary AI professors and researchers named include:
- David Gelernter (Yale University): A Yale computer science professor specializing in AI, who faced a review and was relieved of teaching. Unsealed documents revealed a 6-year correspondence (2009–2015) in which he sought Epstein's business advice and commented inappropriately on an undergraduate student.
- Itamar Arel (University of Tennessee): A former associate professor of computer science who headed UT's Machine Intelligence Lab. Emails show he communicated extensively with Epstein between 2009 and 2016 regarding the development of AI-powered facial recognition software and humanoid robotics funded by the Epstein VI Foundation.
- Marvin Minsky (MIT): The late co-founder of MIT's AI lab, who appeared in several emails in the Epstein files regarding meetings, phone calls, and events celebrating his life.
- Roger Schank (Carnegie Mellon University): The late Carnegie Mellon administrator and AI researcher, who maintained a long-term relationship with Epstein. The released documents revealed he frequently reached out to Epstein for personal and financial advice.