Researcher · Academic
Chris Watkins
Professor of Machine Learning at Royal Holloway, University of London
Watkins invented Q-learning, which lets an agent learn through trial and error which actions will produce the best long-term reward without first modeling its environment. Introduced in his 1989 Cambridge PhD and formalized with Peter Dayan, it became a foundation of modern reinforcement learning.
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Background
Current role
Professor of Machine LearningRoyal Holloway, University of London
Royal Holloway, University of LondonEducation
University of CambridgeAbout this data
Work and education history is primarily focused on AI-relevant roles and may not be comprehensive.
Last editorial review: August 14, 2026