Michael A. Nielsen
Also known as Michael Aaron Nielsen
Michael Nielsen is a scientist who contributed to quantum computing and the modern open science movement, and he wrote an online textbook on neural networks. He completed a PhD at the University of New Mexico in 1998 and co-wrote Quantum Computation and Quantum Information with Isaac Chuang, published in 2000. In 2004 he was awarded a Federation Fellowship at the University of Queensland, and in 2007 he turned his focus toward new tools for scientific collaboration and publication. Neural Networks and Deep Learning appeared in 2015, and from 2016 to 2019 he was a research fellow at Y Combinator Research. He wrote about artificial superintelligence and its existential risk in 2023 and 2025, and as of October 2026 he is a Research Fellow at the Astera Institute.
- Now at
- Astera Institute
- Works
- 123
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 15 October 2026. Citations and h-index are hidden because this OpenAlex record may be incomplete or mix in other authors.
Timeline
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1998
A PhD at New Mexico
He completes a PhD at the University of New Mexico in 1998.
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2000
A quantum computing textbook
With Isaac Chuang, he co-writes Quantum Computation and Quantum Information, published by Cambridge University Press in 2000.
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2004
A Federation Fellowship in Queensland
In 2004 he is recognized as Australia's youngest academic and is awarded a Federation Fellowship at the University of Queensland.
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2007
Turning to open science
In 2007 he shifts his focus from quantum information and computation to new tools for scientific collaboration and publication.
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2015
An online textbook on neural networks
In 2015 he publishes Neural Networks and Deep Learning, an online textbook.
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2016–2019
Research fellow at Y Combinator
He joins Y Combinator Research as a Research Fellow, a post that runs from 2016 to 2019.
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2023–2025
Writing on AI existential risk
In September 2023 he publishes Notes on Existential Risk from Artificial Superintelligence, listing Astera Institute as his affiliation. In April 2025 he publishes the text of a talk titled ASI existential risk: reconsidering alignment as a goal.
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As of October 2026
A research fellow at Astera
He is a Research Fellow at the Astera Institute. His work has contributed to quantum computing and the modern open science movement.
Sources and credits
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