Dr. Alessandro Acquisti

Biography

Alessandro Acquisti is a Trustees Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College, specializing in Information Technology and Public Policy. With a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, he has an extensive background in various domains, including human-agent interaction, security, economics, and e-commerce. Before joining Carnegie Mellon, Acquisti gained experience through internships at Xerox PARC and NASA’s Ames Research Center. His research has been prominently featured in notable media outlets such as The Economist, NPR, and The New York Times Magazine. One of his key studies highlighted the predictability of Social Security numbers, influencing significant changes in their assignment schemes by the Social Security Administration. In addition to his academic pursuits, Acquisti has worked as a classical music producer, label manager, and freelance arranger with a rich history in theatre and television productions. His diverse interests bridge technology and the arts, underscoring a commitment to interdisciplinary research and education.

Research Interests