Mark Nitzberg

| nationality = American | workplaces = University of California, Berkeley | alma_mater = Harvard University (Ph.D.), University of Oregon (B.A.) | thesis_title = Depth from overlap | thesis_url = https://www.proquest.com/openview/b55739d02d09f35be55bbf27f434f1d7/ | thesis_year = 1991 | discipline = Computer science | sub_discipline = Artificial intelligence, AI governance | occupation = Computer scientist, AI researcher, inventor, author, academic | titles = Executive Director of the Center for Human-Compatible Artificial Intelligence, Interim Executive Director of the International Association for Safe and Ethical Artificial Intelligence | doctoral_advisor = David Mumford | academic_advisors = Ken Nakayama, Takahiro Shiota, Alan Yuille | influences = David Mumford, Ken Nakayama, Heisuke Hironaka, Richard Koch }} Mark Jay Nitzberg (born April 27, 1961) is an American computer scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, and academic who works on the societal and economic impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and its governance. Nitzberg is the executive director of the Center for Human-Compatible Artificial Intelligence at the University of California, Berkeley, interim executive director of the International Association for Safe and Ethical AI, and director of technology research at the Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy (BRIE).

Background and education

Nitzberg holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and music composition from the University of Oregon. He completed his doctoral studies in computer science on the topic of digital imaging at Harvard University, where he worked under the supervision of David Mumford, Ken Nakayama, Takahiro Shiota, and Alan Yuille.

Career

Nitzberg completed his PhD entitled "Depth from overlap" in 1991. He has since held roles in academia, industry, and technology development. As of 2025, he serves as the executive director of the Center for Human-Compatible Artificial Intelligence at UC Berkeley, and as an advisor to the Berkeley AI Research Lab (BAIR). He is the director of technology research at the Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy (BRIE).

In a 2020 interview as part of the Future of Work Series at UC Davis, Nitzberg credited early mentorship from Marvin Minsky and Joseph Weizenbaum for shaping his perspectives on AI. Nitzberg has advocated for global collaboration in AI governance, and described his center's work on long-term strategies for ensuring AI safety.

Selected articles

Patents

  • Powell, R.D. and Nitzberg, M.J., Corbis Corp, 1998. Method and system for digital image signatures.
  • Powell, R.D. and Nitzberg, M.J. (1998) Method for encoding auxiliary data within a source signal.
  • Powell, R.D. and Nitzberg, M.J., Digimarc Corp, 1999. Method for image encoding.
  • Sheehan, D.M., Nitzberg, M.J. and Fitzgerald, P.J., 2001. Prescription-controlled data collection system and method.

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