About
The Center for Collective Learning (CCL) is an interdisciplinary laboratory working to understand how knowledge moves, grows, and decays. For decades we have used artificial intelligence and network science techniques to explore questions of regional, international, and urban development. We pioneered the field of economic complexity, the use of crowdsourcing and computer vision methods to understand the physical qualities of cities, and are innovating in the development of digital democracy platforms.
The CCL Team at the Launch Gala of the center, Corvinus University of Budapest, in November 2023
The CCL is a team of highly motivated scientists, scholars, entrepreneurs, and engineers based at the Artificial and Natural Intelligence Institute (ANITI) at the University of Toulouse, and at the Corvinus Institute of Advanced Studies (CIAS) at the Corvinus University in Budapest. The Center for Collective Learning is supported by several European projects, including an ERA Chair, the European Lighthouse on Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability (ELIAS), and the ObsSea4Clim (Horizon) Ocean Observatory.
The CCL is led by professor César A. Hidalgo, a holder of an ANITI Chair at the University of Toulouse and an ERA Chair at Corvinus University. Prior to moving to Europe, Hidalgo directed the Collective Learning Group at MIT for 9 years, and before that, he was a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard University.
About Professor Hidalgo
Cesar Hidalgo is a Chilean physicist, professor, and author. He is known for his work in the field of complexity science and his contributions to understanding the dynamics of economic and social systems. Hidalgo developed the concept of "economic complexity," which measures the knowledge and capabilities embedded in a country's economy. He argues that economic development is not solely driven by the accumulation of capital and resources but also by the knowledge and diversity of a nation's productive activities. Hidalgo's research has shed light on the factors that determine the wealth and growth of nations, and he has authored several influential books on the topic, including "Why Information Grows" and "The Atlas of Economic Complexity."
Brief History
The Center for Collective Learning started at MIT in 2010, first as the Macro Connections group, and then as the Collective Learning Group.
During the last decade, the Center for Collective Learning produced a number of accomplished graduates and postdocs who now work as professors, entrepreneurs, and engineers.
Today, the Center for Collective Learning is located at the Artificial and Natural Intelligence Institute (ANITI) at the University of Toulouse and at the Corvinus Institute for Advanced Studies at Corvinus University in Budapest.
Alumni of the Collective Learning Group includes:
Faculty
Tarik Roukny (KU Leuven)
Flavio Pinheiro (Universidade Nova de Lisboa)
Bogang Jun (Inha University)
Cristian Candia (Universidad del Desarrollo)
Entrepreneurs:
Kevin Hu (Co-Founder & CEO of Metaplane)
Sanjay Guruprasad (co-Founder & CEO of Rune)
Alexander Simoes (co-founder of Datawheel),
Daniel Smilkov (co-founder, Lilac AI)
Business Leaders:
Amy Yu (Paramount)
Elisa Castañer (Palantir)
Nikhil Naik (Salesforce)
Shahar Ronen (Plaid)
Ambika Krishnamachar (Faire)
Diana Orghian (Feedzai)
and many more (see all Alumni here).
Center for Collective Learning, at CIAS, Corvinus University, on April 2023
Center for Collective Learning (May 2022)
Center for Collective Learning, October 2021
The Center for Collective Learning is led Dr. César A. Hidalgo, ANITI Chair at the University Toulouse, Honorary Professor at the University of Manchester, and Visiting Professor at Harvard University.
About Toulouse
Toulouse is one of the most beautiful, exciting, and friendly places you will ever visit. Located in the south of France, on the banks of the Garonne river, Toulouse is a high-tech university town that is home to about one million people. It has everything that someone would want from a big city, but in a compact urban form.
About Budapest
Budapest, Hungary's capital, is a unique blend of history, culture, and vibrant energy. You can spend countless days wandering around the historic sights, relax in a thermal bath, or go to a concert of your choice.
The city is ideal for international students and scholars: thanks to the large number of universities in the city, they can easily start inspiring collaborations from their field.
Check out our latest videos
Contact Us
To get in touch with the Center for Collective Learning team, please reach out to Veronika Hamar, Executive Director, at veronika.hamar@uni-corvinus.hu
If you have any ethical concerns about the data collection in our publications, please reach out to adatvedelem@uni-corvinus.