Stanford University
Khurram JavedFounder · Oak LabResearcher↗
Researcher · Academic · Founder
Richard S. Sutton
Oak LabCofounder
University of AlbertaProfessor
Sutton is one of the founders of modern reinforcement learning, the approach in which an AI improves through experience and feedback.[1] He developed temporal-difference learning, co-wrote the field's standard textbook[2], and shared the 2024 Turing Award[1] before launching Oak Lab[3] to pursue continually learning agents.[4]
Career & education
Current rolesOak LabJuly 2026-presentCofounderUniversity of Alberta2003-presentProfessor
Oak LabJuly 2026-presentUniversity of Alberta2003-presentPreviously
Google DeepMind2017-2023Distinguished Research Scientist
AT&T1998-2002Principal Technical Staff Member, Shannon Laboratory
University of Massachusetts Amherst1995-1998Senior Research Scientist
Keen Technologies2023-Jul 2026
Research ScientistGoogle DeepMind2017-2023AT&T1998-2002University of Massachusetts Amherst1995-1998Work and education history is primarily focused on AI-relevant roles and may not be comprehensive.
Citation Trend
Total citations to scholarly work, including research papers, technical reports, books and theses, as recorded by Google Scholar. Each point is a dated snapshot.
citations195,647As of Nov 1, '26
citations+2,845Since last snapshot, Oct 1, '26
Updates 3
New orgRichard Sutton and Khurram Javed launch Oak Lab
The reinforcement-learning researchers left Keen Technologies to build agents that learn continually from experience.
July 13, 2026MoveRichard Sutton leaves Keen Technologies to found Oak LabSutton and Khurram Javed have started a Toronto lab pursuing a different path toward understanding intelligence.
July 13, 2026MoveKhurram Javed leaves Keen Technologies to co-found Oak LabJaved is building real-time learning systems with his former PhD adviser Richard Sutton.
July 13, 2026Selected contributions
Reinforcement Learning: An Introduction
With Andrew BartoA textbook on how agents learn to make decisions through trial, error and rewards.
References
- NSF — reinforcement-learning pioneersnsf.gov
Official award account establishes foundational stature and reinforcement learning through feedback.
- Reinforcement Learning — MIT Pressmitpress.mit.edu
Reinforcement Learning — MIT Press supports the anchored contribution. NSF award account, official Oak mission and dated launch reporting opened. Personal website timed out and ACM PDF blocked, so no claim of access to those sources. Existing prose preserved.
- Richard Sutton founds Oak Labthe-decoder.com
Richard Sutton founds Oak Lab supports the anchored contribution. NSF award account, official Oak mission and dated launch reporting opened. Personal website timed out and ACM PDF blocked, so no claim of access to those sources. Existing prose preserved.
- Oak Lab — missionoaklab.ai
Oak Lab — mission supports the anchored contribution. NSF award account, official Oak mission and dated launch reporting opened. Personal website timed out and ACM PDF blocked, so no claim of access to those sources. Existing prose preserved.
Based on public sources. If accuracy is important, verify details using the links or references.
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Reviewed August 8, 2026 · Checked for accuracy and new information.
