MIT and Accenture Convergence Initiative Supports New Research Projects
The MIT and Accenture Convergence Initiative for Industry and Technology has selected three new research projects for support. These projects aim to address complex societal needs through insights in technology and innovation.
MIT and Accenture Convergence Initiative
The MIT and Accenture Convergence Initiative, established in MIT’s School of Engineering three years ago, brings together experts from business and academia to share insights and promote learning. Thomas W. Malone, the Patrick J. McGovern (1959) Professor of Management, recently joined the initiative as its faculty lead. The initiative focuses on sustainability, digital health, and the future of work, which are the key areas of the selected research projects.
Significance of the Research Projects
Anantha Chandrakasan, the dean of the School of Engineering, highlights the potential impact of the research projects. These projects align with the initiative’s focus on advancing data-driven research for technology and industry convergence. Kenneth Munie, senior managing director at Accenture Strategy, Life Sciences, emphasizes the importance of these projects in guiding future innovations for the benefit of work and daily life.
Research Projects
Accelerating the Journey to Net Zero with Industrial Clusters
Professor Jessika Trancik from the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society leads this research project. The project aims to identify how industrial clusters can help companies derive greater value from decarbonization efforts, making them more willing to invest in clean energy transition. The team includes researchers from the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society and Accenture.
Eliminating Childhood Obesity
Professor Anette “Peko” Hosoi, the Neil and Jane Pappalardo Professor of Mechanical Engineering, leads this project. The goal is to create a return-on-investment (ROI) calculator for childhood obesity interventions. This tool will help companies identify the economic benefits of investing in programs to reduce childhood obesity. The research team consists of graduate students from the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society and professionals from Accenture’s health industry division.
Generating Innovative Organizational Configurations and Algorithms
Professor Thomas Malone from MIT Sloan School of Management and Professor John Horton from the same institution lead this research project. The project aims to reshape the future of work by using AI to better match applicants to jobs, create new job opportunities, assess skill training needs, and address employment disparities. The team includes researchers from MIT Sloan School of Management’s Center for Collective Intelligence and Accenture’s artificial intelligence division.