Alexander Htet Kyaw, a dual-degree graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in architectural studies and electrical engineering and computer science, is revolutionizing the way we interact with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and robotics. His innovative approaches blend these advanced technologies with design, aiming to enhance human-AI workflows and transform everyday tasks into more intuitive and efficient processes. One of Kyaw's notable projects is Curator AI, which emerged victorious at the MIT AI Conference’s AI Build: Generative Voice AI Solutions, winning the team $26,000 in OpenAI products and cash. Developed with fellow MIT students Richa Gupta, Bradley Bunch, Nidhish Sagar, and Michael Won, Curator AI simplifies online furniture shopping by offering context-aware product recommendations. The platform combines AR to measure the room's dimensions, including the locations of windows, doors, and existing furniture, with voice commands to generate and display options that fit both the user’s preferences and the room’s visual characteristics. Shoppers can select from these suggestions, visualize the products in AR, and request modifications to the search criteria, making the entire process more personalized and user-friendly. Building on his success with Curator AI, Kyaw collaborated with Guillaume Allegre, May Khine, and Anna Mathy to create Estimate, another groundbreaking tool. Estimate, developed during the MIT Sloan Product Tech Conference’s hackathon in March 2024, helps small businesses by streamlining the cost estimation process for renovations and paint jobs. Using AR and object recognition AI, the system measures a room precisely and generates a detailed cost estimate, along with visualizations of the potential outcomes. Once the project is completed, Estimate can automatically generate an invoice. The team won the hackathon and a cash prize of $5,000. Kyaw's commitment to sustainability is evident in his project Unlog, a towering art sculpture made from ash logs on the Cornell University campus. He and his team, including Leslie Lok, Lawson Spencer, and Sasa Zivkovic, developed a software that maps the dimensions of building components using AR and gesture recognition. The goal is to use whole logs directly in construction, bypassing the traditional milling and transportation processes, thus reducing waste and energy consumption. This innovative approach earned them a spot in the Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication in January 2024. In another venture, Kyaw leveraged physics simulation, gesture recognition, and AR to design and fabricate a reconfigurable modular bamboo system. This project, detailed in the Proceedings of the 41st Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe in August 2023, allows users to manipulate digital bamboo modules in AR, with real-time physics simulations showcasing how the bamboo bends and where attachments should be placed to ensure stability. This system not only demonstrates the potential for AR in architectural design but also highlights the sustainable use of bamboo in construction. Inspired by the pressing issues of climate change and extreme poverty in his home country, Myanmar, Kyaw founded BendShelters. Leveraging his expertise in bamboo modules, BendShelters aims to provide prefabricated, modular shelters and community spaces for refugees and displaced persons. This initiative has garnered attention and support from MIT Sandbox, PKG Social Innovation Challenge, and the Amazon Robotics’ Prize for Social Good. At MIT, Kyaw continues to push boundaries with his research. He is working with Professor Neil Gershenfeld, director of the Center for Bits and Atoms, and PhD student Miana Smith to develop a workflow that utilizes speech recognition, 3D generative AI, and robotic arms. This system enables natural, on-demand construction of objects, making the process more accessible and sustainable. Kyaw's academic journey began at Cornell University, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in architecture and computer science. His dedication to interdisciplinary research was rewarded with the SJA Fellowship from the Steve Jobs Archive, supporting projects at the intersection of technology and the arts. Kyaw’s research vision centers on creating systems and products that facilitate seamless interactions between humans, machines, and the built environment. In April 2024, Kyaw will deliver a TEDx talk at Cornell, discussing Curator AI, Estimate, and other projects that showcase the potential of AI, AR, and robotics in design and construction. His work not only advances technological frontiers but also addresses social and environmental challenges, demonstrating the power of innovation in creating meaningful solutions. Industry insiders laud Kyaw's approach to merging design and technology. They see his projects as a significant step towards making tech more accessible and user-friendly, particularly in the context of design and construction. Companies like Amazon are keenly interested in his sustainable and socially responsible initiatives, recognizing the broader impact of such technologies on society and the environment. Kyaw's ability to bridge different fields and his passion for creating practical, sustainable solutions position him as a leading figure in the future of tech-driven design. Alexander Htet Kyaw is a testament to the potential of interdisciplinary research, combining his expertise in architecture and computer science to develop innovative solutions. His work with projects like Curator AI, Estimate, and BendShelters showcases his commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, setting a precedent for how technology can be used to address real-world problems. MIT MAD’s support has been crucial in refining his vision, and his upcoming TEDx talk promises to inspire further innovations in the field.