MIT has appointed former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel as the new Director of the MIT Media Lab, marking a significant crossover between public technology policy and academic innovation leadership. Rosenworcel, who served as FCC chair from 2021 to 2025, becomes the first former federal regulator to head the influential research laboratory known for its interdisciplinary work in media, AI, and human-computer interaction.
During her tenure at the FCC, Rosenworcel was recognized for her focus on broadband equity, spectrum policy, and advancing next-generation wireless technologies. At the MIT Media Lab, she will steer research initiatives across emerging technologies and is expected to bring a sharper focus on regulatory foresight, ethics, and digital rights in tech development.
MIT President Sally Kornbluth cited Rosenworcel’s “deep commitment to public interest technology and interdisciplinary collaboration” as key reasons for her selection. Rosenworcel said she looks forward to “bringing the Media Lab’s boundary-pushing research into meaningful dialogue with the policy frameworks that shape our digital future.”
- Jessica Rosenworcel served as FCC Chair from 2021 to 2025
- Becomes first former federal regulator to lead the MIT Media Lab
- Appointment signals growing emphasis on policy-tech integration at MIT
- Media Lab has incubated research in AI, robotics, neurotechnology, and digital media
- Rosenworcel previously spearheaded U.S. spectrum auctions and broadband access reforms
Before being named Chairwoman of the FCC, Jessica Rosenworcel served multiple terms as an FCC Commissioner, initially appointed by President Obama in 2012 and reappointed by President Trump in 2017, earning bipartisan respect for her expertise in telecommunications policy. A staunch advocate for net neutrality and closing the digital divide, she championed initiatives like the E-Rate program to bring high-speed internet to schools and libraries. Prior to her time on the Commission, Rosenworcel served as Senior Communications Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where she advised on a broad range of wireless, broadband, and public safety communications issues.
