DR. YANIV ALTSHULER

Artificial Intelligence Researcher

Overview

I am a researcher at the MIT Media Lab and an MIT Connection Science ‎Fellow.‎

For over two decades, my work has focused on the research and development of Artificial Intelligence, with an emphasis on the rigorous theoretical foundations of decentralized and scalable AI systems. My goal is to uncover new insights that advance the performance, robustness, and ethical deployment of AI technologies in the real world.

I have published three books on the theory and applications of Artificial Intelligence along with over 80 scientific papers and more than 20 patents.

During 2022 I founded Alphabiome.ai, a company harnessing the power of AI to decode the microbiome at massive scale. By analyzing trillions of genetic fragments, our platform extracts tens of thousands of predictive biomarkers – unlocking an entirely new layer of biological insight. This technology opens the door to transformative applications across sustainability, agriculture, and precision medicine.

Professional Teaching Experience

As a lecturer, I have taught a range of courses including Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Computability Theory, Digital Systems Design, Algorithms in Graph Theory, and Data Structures. In addition to classroom teaching, I have supervised dozens of student graduation projects in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Image Processing. ‎

Research Statement

My research focuses on developing innovative Artificial Intelligence systems that enable transformative breakthroughs across a wide range of domains — including finance, national security, transportation, and the life sciences. I take a rigorous, theory-driven approach to the design of decentralized and scalable AI architectures, aiming to uncover new principles that enhance both the performance and reliability of AI in complex real-world settings.

At the core of my work is a commitment to building AI systems that are not only powerful, but also ethical, robust, and broadly accessible. By combining foundational insights with practical impact, I strive to advance the field of AI while contributing to solutions that are socially meaningful and scientifically enduring.

DR. YANIV ALTSHULER
  

77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA

My Books

Swarms and Network Intelligence in Search

Applied Swarm Intelligence

Security and Privacy in Social Networks

Journal Papers

  • AI-driven precision agriculture for enteric methane mitigation: cross-farm validation with an essential oil-based feed additive
    Yaniv Altshuler, Tzruya Calvao Chebach, Shalom Cohen, Joao Gatica, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2025
  • Patterns of User Behavior and Token Adoption on ERC20
    Alfredo J. Morales, Shahar Somin, Yaniv Altshuler, Alex Sandy Pentland, SN Computer Science, 2023
  • Recent Developments in the Theory and Applicability of Swarm Search
    Y. Altshuler, Entropy, 2023
  • Remaining Popular: Power-law Regularities in Network Dynamics
    S. Somin, Y. Altshuler, A. Pentland, E. Shmueli, EPJ Data Science, 2022
  • Beyond Preferential Attachment: Falling of Stars and Survival of Superstars
    S. Somin, Y. Altshuler, A. Pentland, E. Shmueli, Royal Society Open Science, 2022
  • DNN Intellectual Property Extraction Using Composite Data
    I. Mosafi, E. David, Y. Altshuler, N. Netanyahu, Entropy, 2022
  • Network Dynamics of a Financial Ecosystem
    S. Somin, Y. Altshuler, G. Gordon, A. Pentland, E. Shmueli, Scientific Reports (Nature), 2020
  • Modeling and Prediction of Ride Sharing Utilization Dynamics
    T. Altshuler, Y. Altshuler, R. Katoshevski, Y. Shiftan, Journal of Advanced Transportation, 2019
  • Campaign Optimization through Behavioral Modeling and Mobile Network Analysis
    Y. Altshuler, E. Shmueli, G. Zyskind, O. Lederman, N. Oliver, A. Pentland, IEEE Trans. Computational Social Systems, 2014
  • Prospect Theory for Online Financial Trading
    YY Liu, JC Nacher, T Ochiai, M Martino and Y Altshuler, PLOS ONE, 2014

Book Chapters

  • Network Dynamics of a Tokenized Financial Ecosystem
    S. Somin, G. Gordon, A. Pentland, E. Shmueli, Y. Altshuler, Building the New Economy (MIT Press), 2020
  • Social Physics and Cybercrime
    Y. Altshuler and A. Pentland, Solution for Cybersecurity (MIT Press), 2018
  • Campaign Optimization through Mobility Network Analysis
    Y. Altshuler, E. Shmueli, G. Zyskind, O. Lederman, N. Oliver and A. Pentland, Geo-Intelligence and Visualization through Big Data Trends, Advances in Geospatial Technologies (AGT) Book Series, 2015
  • On the Rationality and Optimality of Transportation Networks Defense— a Network Centrality Approach
    Y. Altshuler, R. Puzis, Y. Elovici, S. Bekhor and A. Pentland, Securing Transportation Systems, Protecting Critical Infrastructures Series, Willey, 2014

Refereed Conference Papers

  • Node Ranking Dynamics: Non Preferential Patterns
    S. Somin, Y. Altshuler, A. Pentland and E. Shmueli, IC2S2, 2023
  • Non Preferential Node Ranking Dynamics
    S. Somin, Y. Altshuler, A. Pentland and E. Shmueli, NetSci, 2023
  • Non-Monotonic Dynamics in Node Ranking
    S. Somin, Y. Altshuler, A. Pentland, and E. Shmueli, Complex Networks, 2022
  • Non Preferential Patterns in Node Ranking Dynamics
    S. Somin, Y. Altshuler, A. Pentland and E. Shmueli, NetSci, 2022
  • Ethereum Blockchain: A Network Perspective
    S. Somin, Y. Altshuler, G. Gordon, A. Pentland and E. Shmueli, NetSci, 2020
  • ERC20 Transactions over Ethereum Blockchain: Network Analysis and Predictions
    S. Somin, G. Gordon, A. Pentland, E. Shmueli and Y. Altshuler, International Conference on Social Computing, Behavioral-Cultural Modeling & Prediction (SBP), 2020
  • COVID-19 Outbreak Week-by-Week Prediction
    Y. Altshuler and A. Pentland, NetSci, 2020
  • Detecting Bot Activity in the Ethereum Blockchain Network
    M. Zwang, S. Somin, A. Pentland and Y. Altshuler, NetSci, 2019
  • Network Dynamics of a Financial Ecosystem
    S. Somin, Y. Altshuler, G. Gordon, E. Shmueli, and A. Pentland, NetSci, 2019
  • Network Analysis of ERC20 Tokens Trading on Ethereum Blockchain
    S. Somin, G. Gordon, and Y. Altshuler, International Conference on Complex Systems 2018
  • Using Social Physics to Predict Consumer Behavior
    Y. Altshuler and A. Boehme, NetSci, 2017
  • Social Behavior Bias and Knowledge Management Optimization
    Y. Altshuler, A. Pentland and G. Gordon, SBP 2015
  • Ride Sharing: A Network Perspective
    E. Shmueli, I. Mazeh, L. Radaelli, A, Pentland and Y. Altshuler, SBP 2015
  • Network Tuning
    Y. Altshuler and A. Pentland, NetSci, 2015
  • From Individual Knowledge Management to Social Information Flow
    Y. Altshuler, A. Pentland and G. Gordon, NetSci, 2015
  • Ride Sharing: A Network Perspective
    E. Shmueli, I. Mazeh, A. Pentland, T. Altshuler and Y. Altshuler, NetSci, 2015
  • Mobile Phones for On-Demand Public Transportation
    T. Altshuler, Y. Shiftan, R. Katoshevski, N. Oliver, A. Pentland and Y. Altshuler, NetSci, 2014
  • A Generative Model for Evolving Scale-Free Networks
    E. Shmueli, Y. Altshuler and A. Pentland, NetSci, 2014
  • Wisdom of the Network
    E. Shmueli, D. Margolin, Y. Altshuler, A. Pentland and D. Lazer, NetSci, 2014
  • Temporal Dynamics of Scale-Free Networks
    E. Shmueli, Y. Altshuler and A. Pentland, SBP 2014

Refereed Workshop Papers

  • Temporal Dynamics in Networks: Second Order Power-Law Phenomena
    S. Somin, A. Pentland, S. Shmueli and Y. Altshuler, Conference on Digital Experimentation (CODE), 2020
  • Dynamic Equilibrations of ERC20
    S. Somin, G. Gordon, A. Pentland and Y. Altshuler, Conference on Digital Experimentation (CODE), 2018
  • Anomalies in the Ethereum Blockchain Network
    M. Zwang, S. Somin, A. Pentland and Y. Altshuler, Conference on Digital Experimentation (CODE), 2018
  • From Individual Knowledge Management to Social Information Flow
    Yaniv Altshuler, Alex Pentland and Goren Gordon, ICCSS, 2015
  • The Network Dimension of Ride Sharing
    Tal Altshuler, Yoram Shiftan, Rachel Katoshevski, Nuria Oliver, Alex Pentland, Erez Shmueli, Yaniv Altshuler, ICCSS, 2015
  • Campaign Optimization through Mobility Network Analysis
    Y. Altshuler, E. Shmueli, G. Zyskind, O. Lederman, N. Oliver, A. Pentland, NetMob, 2015
  • Dynamics of Scale-Free Networks
    E. Shmueli, Y. Altshuler and A. Pentland, Workshop on Information in Networks (WIN), 2013
  • Accurate Decision Making in Social Networks
    Y. Altshuler and A. Pentland, NetSci, 2013
  • Temporal Percolation in Scale-Free Networks
    E. Shmueli, Y. Altshuler and A. Pentland, NetSci, 2013
  • The Social Amplifier – Reaction of Human Communities to Emergencies
    Y. Altshuler, M. Fire, E. Shmueli, Y. Elovici, A. Bruckstein, A. Pentland and D. Lazer, NetMob, 2013
  • Trends Prediction in Social Networks Using Influence Diffusion Models
    Y. Altshuler, W. Pan and A. Pentland, Interdisciplinary Workshop on Decisions in Networks (WIDS), 2012
  • Incremental Learning with Accuracy Prediction of Social and Individual Properties from Mobile-Phone Data
    Y. Altshuler, N. Aharony, M. Fire, Y. Elovici and A. Pentland, WS3P, IEEE Social Computing, 2012`
  • Information Flow in Networks : Trendsetters, Bellwethers and Shepherd Dogs
    Y. Altshuler, N. Aharony, Y. Elovici, A. Pentland and M. Cebrian, Workshop on Information in Networks (WIN), 2011
  • Stealing Reality: When Criminals Become Data Scientists
    Y. Altshuler and A. Pentland, Workshop on Information in Networks (WIN), 2011
  • Augmented Betweenness Centrality for Mobility Prediction in Transportation Networks
    Y. Altshuler, R. Puzis, Y. Elovici, S. Bekhor and A. Pentland, Finding Patterns of Human Behaviors in Network and Mobility Data (NEMO), 2011
  • Stealing Reality
    Y. Altshuler, N. Aharony, M. Cebrian, Y. Elovici, A. Pentland, Workshop on Information in Networks (WIN), 2010
  • Efficient Collaborative Application Monitoring Scheme for Mobile Networks
    Y. Altshuler, S. Dolev, Y. Elovici and N. Aharony, Analysis of Mobile Phone Networks, NetMob (in NetSci), 2010
  • TTLed Random Walks for Collaborative Monitoring
    Y. Altshuler, S. Dolev, Y. Elovici and N. Aharony, NetSciCom (in IEEE INFOCOM), 2010
  • To Add With Caution - Decreasing a Swarm Robotics' Efficiency by Imprudently Enhancing the Robots' Capabilities
    Y. Altshuler, I. Wagner, and A. Bruckstein, ICINCO (MARS Workshop), 2007
  • Ant - Swarm Robotics for a Dynamic Cleaning Problem
    Y. Altshuler, I. Wagner, V. Yanovski and A. Bruckstein, ROBOMAT, 2007
  • Shape Factor's Effect on a Dynamic Cleaners Swarm
    Y. Altshuler, I. Wagner and A. Bruckstein, ICINCO (MARS Workshop), 2006
  • On Swarm Optimality in Dynamic and Symmetric Environments
    Y. Altshuler, I. Wagner and A. Bruckstein, ICINCO (MARS Workshop), 2005
  • The Cooperative Hunters - Efficient Cooperative Search for Smart Targets Using UAV Swarms
    Y. Altshuler, I. Wagner, V. Yanovski and A. Bruckstein, ICINCO (MARS Workshop), 2005

Patent Applications

  • Large Genetic Model (LGM) for Universal Genomic Prediction and Classification
  • Detection of Cross-Chromosomal Biomarkers from Groups of DNA and RNA Sequences in Human Genome
  • Efficient Unsupervised Detection of Dominant k-mers in Genomic and Microbiome Data
  • Scalable Detection of Decentralized Genetic Biomarkers in Human Microbial Data
  • Efficient Detection of Decentralized Biomarkers of Groups of DNA Sequences in Microbiome DNA
  • Systems and methods for secure prediction using an encrypted query executed based on encrypted data
  • Dynamic Meta-Communities
  • System and Method for Network Stabilization Prediction
  • Methods and apparatus for prediction and modification of behavior in networks
  • Methods and apparatus for tuning a network for optimal performance
  • A system for fault tolerant collaborative identification of malicious applications in a communication network
  • System and method for efficient collaborative identification of malicious applications in a communication network
  • Apparatus and Method for Targeted Advertisement
  • Prediction and Inducement of Dynamic Users Behaviors in Computer Games
  • Reliable, efficient and low cost method for game audio rendering
  • Method and System for Representing Game Data in a Generic Form
  • Selection System for Gaming
  • Technological Platform for Interactive Gaming
  • System and Method for a Gaming Community
  • Method and Computer Program Product for Job Selection and Resource Allocation of a Massively Parallel Processor
  • Method and System for Optimizing Performance through Stochastic Change
  • Method and System for Optimizing Quality of Service over a Data Network
  • System and Method for Dynamically Optimizing TCP Windows Size