Joseph P. Wilson

Managing Director

Joseph P. Wilson leads AIR's artificial intelligence strategy and was the inaugural director of CS@AIR (the Center for Evolving Computer Science Education). He chaired AIR’s original AI Steering Committee and brings deep technical and research expertise to AIR’s work at the intersection of AI, emerging technologies, and PK–12 STEM and computer science education.

Dr. Wilson is an applied researcher and research leader focused on how technology shapes learning, decision-making, and well-being—and how rigorous evidence can guide responsible, effective use of AI in real-world settings. His research background spans engineering, public health, and education, with expertise in research-practice partnerships and interdisciplinary study design. He has authored peer-reviewed publications and presented his work at national and international conferences. He has been a PI or Co-PI for nine NSF-funded research projects, mostly in PK-12 computer science and AI education.

In his leadership role at AIR, Dr. Wilson manages a substantial portfolio of STEM, computer science, and AI-focused initiatives and cultivates strategic partnerships that expand AIR’s research and technical assistance work. He has led significant business development efforts across this portfolio with a strong track record of success, while coaching and developing 70+ staff members as project directors, principal investigators, and team leads. Across these efforts, he is known for translating complex technical ideas into practical, research-backed approaches that educators, communities, and policymakers can use.

Dr. Wilson’s professional path bridges engineering, classroom experience, and rigorous research. He taught high school science in the Phoenix area while completing his master's degree and was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow at UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco.

Based in San Francisco and originally from Central Florida, Dr. Wilson is motivated by using engineering, teaching, and research for social good—especially to better understand how AI and emerging technologies affect the human condition. He welcomes opportunities to collaborate with partners who share a commitment to rigorous work and real-world relevance.