David Krakauer

David Krakauer is President and William H. Miller Professor of Complex Systems at the Santa Fe Institute (SFI), a leading center for interdisciplinary research in complex adaptive systems. He leads SFI’s scientific vision and contributes actively to research on the evolution of intelligence, information processing, and problem-solving matter across biological and cultural domains.

Research Interests: David’s work explores how life and intelligence emerge and evolve, focusing on the mechanisms of memory, communication, and computation in genetic, neural, social, and cultural systems. His research integrates mathematical modeling, computational frameworks, and empirical data to understand collective intelligence, niche construction, and the thermodynamic and evolutionary foundations of cognition. He investigates deep questions about the relationship between physical laws and information processing in living systems.

Recent Research Trends: His recent publications analyze optimal learning rates in ecological niches, the outsourcing of memory through environmental modification, and theoretical visions for the future of complexity science. These works collectively emphasize the role of information efficiency, metabolic constraints, and collective computation in adaptive systems.

• Scientific Awards:
• Wired Magazine Smart List 2012 - One of 50 people who will change the world
• Entrepreneur Magazine Visionary Leader 2016 - Advancing global research and business

Advising and Grants: While specific students are not listed, Krakauer has mentored numerous researchers through SFI programs, workshops, and collaborative projects. He has led major interdisciplinary initiatives, including those on the origins of life, AI and cognition, and complexity in law and regulation. His leadership in founding the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery and directing collective computation research indicates substantial grant acquisition and team leadership.

Labs and Teams: He co-directed the Center for Complexity and Collective Computation at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and founded the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. At SFI, he leads the Science Steering Committee and Science Board, shaping the institute’s research agenda through collaborative working groups and long-term projects in complexity science.