Alan Lesgold

Alan Lesgold connects AI with learning through intelligent tutors for technical work and projects that help instructors use student feedback. He earned a Stanford psychology Ph.D. in 1971, mentored a postdoctoral fellow on Sherlock in 1988, and co-founded Pitt’s Intelligent Systems Program in 1990. He served as dean of Pitt’s School of Education from 2000 to 2016, became an AERA fellow in 2008, and chaired a National Research Council adult-literacy committee in 2012. He published Learning for the Age of Artificial Intelligence in 2019. As of October 2026, he is professor emeritus of psychology and intelligent systems, dean emeritus of Pitt’s School of Education, and a senior scientist at LRDC.

Now at: University of Pittsburgh
Works: 218
Citations: 6,223
h-index: 37
Badges: Loyal
Pioneer

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 18 October 2026.

Timeline

1971

A Stanford psychology doctorate

In 1971, he earns a Ph.D. in psychology at Stanford, where Gordon Bower is his doctoral adviser.
1980s

Sherlock for avionics training

In the late 1980s, he secures funding for an intelligent tutor for technical work. In 1988, he mentors a Pitt postdoctoral fellow who helps design and test Sherlock, an intelligent avionics tutor.
1990

Pitt’s Intelligent Systems Program

In 1990, he co-founds Pitt’s Intelligent Systems Program, one of the first doctoral programs in artificial intelligence.
2000–2016

Dean of Pitt Education

From 2000 to 2016, he serves as dean of Pitt’s School of Education.
2008

An AERA fellowship

He becomes an AERA fellow in 2008.
2012

Chairing an adult literacy study

In 2012, he chairs the National Research Council’s Committee on Learning Sciences: Foundations and Applications to Adolescent and Adult Literacy, which produces Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Options for Practice and Research.
2019

Learning for the AI age

He publishes Learning for the Age of Artificial Intelligence with Routledge in 2019.
As of October 2026

Professor emeritus at Pitt

As of October 2026, he is professor emeritus of psychology and intelligent systems, dean emeritus of Pitt’s School of Education, and a senior scientist at LRDC. In 2025, his retirement project explores AI for understanding open-ended student comments about courses and coaching instructors. In January 2026, he publishes the white paper AI in Higher Education: When It Supports Learning, and When It Undermines It.