At Khoury College of Computer Sciences, we’re proud to spotlight the remarkable individuals who bring diverse life experiences, interdisciplinary perspectives, and deep expertise into the classroom. Few embody this blend better than Dr. Mark L. Miller — a technologist, educator, nonprofit leader, and lifelong music enthusiast whose journey from tape-spliced compositions to intelligent systems for learning is anything but conventional.
Today, Dr. Miller serves as part-time faculty in the Align Master’s program at Northeastern’s Silicon Valley campus, where he teaches foundational computer science courses and an elective on AI and Education. But his story began long before the rise of cloud computing or machine learning — back in the early digital era of punch cards and core memory.
🌱 A Spark Ignited by Curiosity
“The first time I touched a computer — an IBM 1620 with just 20K of memory — I felt like I was peeking into the future.”
That was the moment everything changed.
As a high school junior nominated for a National Science Foundation summer program at San Diego State University, Mark encountered his first computer. Despite its limitations by today’s standards, it opened his mind to a new world — one where machines could be programmed to think, solve, and maybe even teach.
From there, the path was set. He pursued dual undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at UC San Diego, along with a minor in electronic music — though “electronic” at the time meant 8-track reel-to-reel tape recorders, environmental sounds, and physical tape splicing using razor blades and scotch tape.
He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT in 1979, focusing on the then-nascent field of artificial intelligence and its applications to education — a passion that still drives his work today.
🎓 A Career Blending Industry, Academia, and Impact
Before joining Northeastern, Dr. Miller led high-impact roles across academia and industry:
- As Lab Director for Learning and Tools in Apple’s Advanced Technology Group, he led AI investigations for education and training. He managed over three dozen employees, including Apple Distinguished Scientists, and oversaw cutting-edge learning technologies.
- At Texas Instruments, he helped build its early machine intelligence research arm. Disappointed that the company didn’t pursue a more capable personal computer he had been advocating for — instead releasing the underpowered TI-99/4 — he left TI to co-found Computer*Thought, a venture-backed high-tech startup developing intelligent instructional systems for Ada, a programming language being developed for initiatives like the Space Station.
- He also taught CS and AI at UT Dallas, and later offered STEM courses at high schools and community colleges, bringing advanced concepts into accessible learning spaces.
- Today, he leads the Miller Institute for Learning with Technology, a California-based nonprofit that supports K–12 schools with innovative educational technologies.
This deep cross-sector experience helps him bridge industry-grade innovation with learner-centered teaching.
🧠 Teaching Beyond the Textbook
Inside the Align classroom, Dr. Miller is known not only for his technical expertise but for his commitment to the whole learner.
“Although the surface topics are about fundamental concepts and skills in CS,” he explains,
“the life lessons are about learning to learn, adopting heuristic strategies, thinking critically, and building the courage to take on hard challenges.”
Many students arrive in his class with “imposter syndrome” — uncertain if they belong in tech, especially those transitioning from non-STEM backgrounds. Dr. Miller sees it differently:
“I want my students to leave with resilience and self-confidence,” he says, “and an appropriate mix of humility and courage.”
His students often credit him with reshaping how they approach learning — not just in computer science, but in life. He emphasizes evidence-based reasoning, problem-solving under uncertainty, and the mindset of a lifelong learner.
🔍 Research at the Intersection of AI and Education
Since the mid-1970s, Dr. Miller has been exploring how AI can enhance how we teach and learn.
“Some say the final frontiers are quantum physics or cosmology. For me, the greatest mystery is how the human brain learns — and how machines can help us understand and improve that process.”
He views artificial intelligence not as a threat, but as a toolkit for enhancing learning. From adaptive feedback to personalized guidance, his research questions focus on the positive, ethical uses of intelligent systems for learning, serving teachers and learners of all ages.
He’s currently writing a book that weaves together decades of thought leadership on the past, present, and future of AI in education.
🗓️ Upcoming Event: AI, Education, and Tomorrow’s Classrooms
Join Dr. Miller for his upcoming virtual talk at the Infosys Pathfinders Summer Institute 2025. His session, part of the “AI Bits & Bytes” series, is titled, “Lessons from Yesterday’s Edtech can Help Avoid Pitfalls and Envision Tomorrow’s AI-Enriched Classrooms.“
Drawing on five decades of experience, Dr. Miller will explore what recent progress in AI means for education, how to prepare students for the future, and how educators can design strategies to empower teachers and safeguard students.
- Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
- Time: 2:30 PM PDT (5:30 PM EDT)
- Register Here: https://bit.ly/PSI25AIBitsBytes
🎵 Life Outside the Lab
If you think Dr. Miller’s passion for learning stops at computer science, think again.
“Today, I am a student of keyboards, guitar, and bass. This helps me never forget what it is like to be the learner.“
He’s a longtime martial artist, an avid chess player, and a music enthusiast—from early electronic music to modern jazz. His early interest in music has never left him — and in fact, he often draws parallels between musical structure and algorithmic thinking.
“Music and code both have rhythm, structure, harmony,” he muses. “There’s creativity in both — and discipline, too.”
When he’s not teaching, researching, or consulting, he enjoys traveling the world with his wife, exploring new cultures, and reflecting on how global perspectives can inform better educational systems.
🔮 What’s Next?
“Perhaps I should be retired by now,” Dr. Miller jokes, “but I’d still be doing what I love — teaching, learning, and writing.”
Whether in the classroom or through his nonprofit, Dr. Miller continues to push boundaries on how technology can serve education — and how educators can foster deeper, more empowered learning in a rapidly changing world.
📌 Quick Facts
🧑🏫 Name: Dr. Mark L. Miller
🎓 Degrees: Ph.D. in EECS from MIT; B.S. in Psychology & EECS from UC San Diego
📍 Campus: Northeastern University, Silicon Valley
📘 Courses: Align Program, AI and Education
🧪 Research Interests: AI in education, intelligent systems for learning, learning science
💼 Past Roles: Apple ATG, Texas Instruments, UT Dallas, Computer*Thought
🎶 Hobbies: Music, chess, martial arts, spoiling his grandson, global travel with his wife of 56 years
📚 Current Project: Authoring a book on AI and education
🌐 Organization: Executive Director, Miller Institute for Learning with Technology
At Khoury College, we believe great educators don’t just teach — they inspire transformation. Dr. Miller’s journey from early digital systems and tape-based compositions to AI-powered learning tools is a testament to lifelong curiosity, interdisciplinary thinking, and the enduring power of education.