A Journey of Intellectual Curiosity and Perseverance: An Interview with Prof. Hari Balakrishnan

In honor of Teacher’s Day this month, we are proud to share an inspiring conversation with Prof. Hari Balakrishnan (1993/B.Tech/C.Sc), a renowned academic in the fields of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at MIT, and the Co-founder and CTO of Cambridge Mobile Telematics. Prof. Hari's journey from his days as a student to becoming a leading professor encapsulates the values of intellectual curiosity and perseverance.

Prof. Hari Balakrishnan’s journey began in the early 90s when he graduated in Computer Science. Following his undergraduate education, he spent four years at Alakananda Hostel. “I'm also the founder of a company, Cambridge Mobile Telematics, that works on safe driving.” said Prof. Hari. Today, he is not only a professor but also a successful entrepreneur, exemplifying the multifaceted paths one can take with a strong foundation in education.

Reflecting on his days as a student, Prof. Hari shares, “I have so many memories of campus, but probably the most lasting one is the deep friendships that I've made.” He emphasizes the importance of building deep connections during the college years, stating that many of his best friends today are those that he made during his time at IIT Madras.

One of the pivotal lessons Prof. Hari attributes to his time at IITM is the emphasis on intellectual curiosity. “I think that having intellectual curiosity and perseverance are probably the most important things that determine success.” said Prof. Hari.

Prof. Hari candidly shares his experiences of overcoming setbacks. “In terms of personal failure, one of them was that I did fail my preliminary qualifying exam as a graduate student at Berkeley.” added Prof. Hari.

“I finally succeeded through that, got my PhD, and then got an academic job at MIT.” said Prof. Hari. Similarly, during his time at IITM, he encountered a challenging course on electrical machines where he initially scored low on a midterm exam. “But somehow managed to work my way through it and ended up doing all right in that class.” said Prof. Hari.

Reflecting on these experiences, he highlights that it’s not the failures themselves that define us, but how we recover and learn from them.

Prof. Hari underscores the importance of a robust support system, starting with family and extending to friendships and professional relationships. He notes, The friendships that you make through your career and the professional colleagues really matter a lot. Very little is accomplished by individuals in modern society. it’s teamwork and collaboration that drive substantial achievements.”

Prof. Hari adds, “You spend four years really living together, growing up together. It's where you go from essentially coming in as young adults, and becoming an adult.” The experiences and friendships built during college years play a significant role in shaping one’s ability to collaborate and share credit fairly, fostering an environment of intellectual honesty and teamwork.

When asked about advice for students aspiring to an academic career, Prof. Hari says “It's an incredible job, incredible career to have because you have a ton of freedom.” The ability to raise resources, develop great ideas, and convince others to support those ideas makes a career in academia incredibly rewarding. He highlights the necessity of intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and a somewhat underemphasized yet crucial skill—the ability to communicate effectively.

Prof. Hari stresses that even in highly technical fields like computer science, writing and speaking skills are paramount. Effective communication is essential for convincing others of one’s ideas and attracting collaborators. He advises undergraduates to take courses in humanities, writing, and public speaking as seriously as their technical subjects. Extracurricular activities related to communication, such as writing clubs or drama, can significantly enhance one’s ability to articulate ideas and persuade others.

Professor Hari Balakrishnan’s journey is a reflection to the power of intellectual curiosity, perseverance, and effective communication. His experiences highlight that failures are merely stepping stones to success, provided one has the resilience to overcome them. On this Teacher’s Day, we celebrate not just his academic achievements but also his contributions to fostering a spirit of collaboration and intellectual honesty among his students and peers. His insights and experiences serve as an inspiration for students and academics alike, reminding us of the importance of curiosity, perseverance, and the ability to communicate our ideas effectively.