PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

John R. Koza

Also known as John Koza

John Koza is a computer scientist known for genetic programming, which his 1992 book presents as possibly more powerful than neural networks. He earned a computer science doctorate at the University of Michigan in 1972 under John Holland. In 1973 he co-founded Scientific Games Inc., where he co-invented the rub-off instant lottery ticket. He taught a course on genetic algorithms and genetic programming at Stanford University from 1988 to 2003. As of October 2026, he chairs National Popular Vote and sits on its board of directors.

Now at
National Popular Vote
Works
234
Citations
22,553
h-index
36

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 15 October 2026.

Timeline

  1. 1972

    A doctorate under John Holland

    In 1972 he earns a computer science doctorate at the University of Michigan, working under John Holland.

  2. 1973–1987

    Co-founding Scientific Games

    He co-founds Scientific Games Inc. in 1973 and serves as its chairman and CEO until 1987. He also co-invents the rub-off instant lottery ticket used by state lotteries.

  3. 1988–2003

    Teaching at Stanford

    From 1988 to 2003, he teaches a course on genetic algorithms and genetic programming at Stanford University as a consulting professor.

  4. 1992

    The 1992 genetic programming book

    He publishes Genetic Programming: On the Programming of Computers by Means of Natural Selection in 1992. The book presents genetic programming as possibly more powerful than neural networks and other machine learning techniques.

  5. November 2004

    A Stanford talk on machine intelligence

    In November 2004 he speaks at a Stanford colloquium on routine human-competitive machine intelligence.

  6. 2013

    Lead author of Every Vote Equal

    He is lead author of Every Vote Equal and originator of the National Popular Vote legislation. The book's fourth edition appears in 2013.

  7. As of October 2026

    Chairing National Popular Vote

    He is chair of National Popular Vote and a member of its board of directors.

Sources and credits

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  1. Abstract/Bio: Computer Systems Laboratory Colloquium web.stanford.edu. Checked 15 October 2026.
  2. About | National Popular Vote nationalpopularvote.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  3. Genetic Programming by John R. Koza: 9780262527910 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books penguinrandomhouse.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  4. John Koza - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  5. John R. Koza fedsoc.org. Checked 15 October 2026.