William J. Clancey

William J. Clancey (BA, Mathematical Sciences, Rice University 1974; PhD, Computer Science, Stanford University 1979) is an Emeritus Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). A cognitive scientist focusing on the methods and theory of AI programming, he showed in the 1970s–1980s how “expert systems” research had created a symbolic modeling capability of general applicability to science, engineering, and the professions. Over 40 years, Clancey developed AI applications relating people and technology in medicine, education, finance, robotics, and spaceflight systems. While at the Institute for Research on Learning (1987–1997) and NASA Ames Research Center (Chief Scientist of Human-Centered Computing, 1998–2013) he co-developed a scientific design methodology for work systems, based on ethnographic studies and multiagent simulation of activities. His NASA Ames team developed voice-commanded agent systems for Mars exploration (2002–2008) and received the Exceptional Software Award for supporting International Space Station operations. Clancey’s book Working on Mars: Voyages of Scientific Discovery with the Mars Exploration Rovers received the AIAA 2014 Gardner-Lasser Aerospace History Literature Award. He is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics, Association for Advancement of AI, Association for Psychological Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Academy of Inventors.