Computer science alumnus and Chief Scientist at Google offers key lessons to graduates

Jeff Dean spoke about the effect of AI and how graduates should never stop learning new things

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (07/03/2024) — Despite being thrown into the cold winters of Minnesota at a young age after moving around to multiple states, Jean Dean decided that he wanted to come back to the state for college. That decision led him to a successful career, where he is now Google’s Chief Scientist, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) advances for Google DeepMind and Google Research.

Dean returned to the University of Minnesota as a CSE Commencement speaker this spring—35 years after his own graduation. He shared his wisdom with the newest generation of scientists and engineers and talked about what he has learned throughout his academic and professional career. 

“Technology can be an incredible force for good in the world, and I’m proud of helping build a company with 15 products with more than 500 million users. Software that I worked on is integral to all of these products,” Dean said in reference to being one of the first 20 employees at Google. “It’s also important to recognize that not all uses of technology are beneficial, and that we should be thoughtful about where we choose to spend our time and what we work on.”

Dean offered three pieces of advice to the Class of 2025 graduates.

1. Try to continuously learn new things.
2. Work on things that really matter to you and to the world.
3. In a world where AI is becoming more a part of our lives, learn how to use AI tools to accomplish things.

“Do not be afraid to jump into areas where you’re not an expert, and thereby give yourself the ability to learn as you are doing.  Sometimes you just have to be a bit footloose and goph-er it,” Dean added. 

Dean took his own advice early in his career with his work on machine translation, search engines, computer hardware, AI for healthcare, and research management. 

“I had no formal training or experience in many of these areas, but was able to learn while doing, and I have emerged with broadened views and new skills,” Dean said.

He also spoke to a smaller group of students and faculty for a seminar titled, “Modern Advances in Machine Learning and What Will They Enable?” on campus, prior to commencement. The seminar featured work done throughout Google, and Dean outlined major transformations through AI. He also spoke about how collaboration between AI researchers and practitioners, policymakers and other stakeholders can maximize the upsides of AI and minimize its downsides.

Dean’s former professors shared their pride in seeing the alumnus return to campus.

“Widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in computer science today, his pioneering contributions to AI are transforming virtually every aspect of modern life. It was truly special for our community to hear firsthand from someone whose impact on the field has been nothing short of transformative,” said Vipin Kumar, Regents Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and William Norris Land Grant Chair in Large-Scale Computing who is a former professor and mentor to Dean.

Dean earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science and economics from the University of Minnesota in 1990. After graduation, he went on to pursue his master’s and Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Washington. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and a winner of the 2012 ACM Prize in Computing and the 2021 IEEE John von Neumann medal.