October 26, 2020

Accenture and MIT Team Up to Help Organizations Seize Opportunities from Industry and Technology Convergence



Five-year alliance extends longstanding partnership to explore impact of convergence on future of business and society


NEW YORK and CAMBRIDGE, Mass.; Oct. 26, 2020 – Building on their trailblazing partnership of more than 15 years, Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and MIT today launched the MIT and Accenture Convergence Initiative for Industry and Technology. The new initiative brings together Accenture’s technology, strategy and industry experts and the best minds from across MIT to explore how the convergence of industry and technology will transform global business, what it means for the future of society, and how organizations can uncover and better capture its opportunities.

The five-year initiative will develop forward-looking thought leadership, research, educational programs and other activities to offer industry fresh insights and practical guidance on realizing the full potential of technology. The project is co-sponsored by Accenture’s Chief Executive Officer Julie Sweet and MIT President L. Rafael Reif.

“As disruptive technologies and ideas continue to blur the boundaries between industries, moving with speed and designing a future that will benefit all requires a different approach,” said Sweet. “Rapid progress will depend on the ability of industries to learn from each other, from technology leaders and from diverse perspectives across business and academia. MIT, with its strengths across science and engineering, the arts, architecture, humanities, social sciences, and management, and its continuing commitment to interdisciplinary programs, is the ideal partner for Accenture to create breakthrough new research, education and thought leadership programs that can help companies and countries seize the opportunity of the convergence of industry, technology and markets and embrace the change it will bring to create more 360-degree value for all.”

“The world is experiencing disruption beyond what any of us have seen in our lifetimes. In that context, it is more important than ever that academia and industry collaborate to address pressing societal challenges and opportunities,” said Reif. “Building on MIT’s long relationship with Accenture, we are eager to join forces again now to demonstrate how the convergence of industries and technologies is powering the next wave of change and innovation, and how we can harness and shape these forces for positive impact.”

MIT and Accenture announced a five-year collaboration to advance technology and innovation,
attended (virtually) by MIT President L. Rafael Reif (left) and Accenture CEO Julie Sweet.
Photo: Lillie Paquette

The MIT and Accenture Convergence Initiative for Industry and Technology will advance three main pillars:

“Collaborating with MIT on cutting-edge industry research will enhance the value we provide to our clients and elevate our position as a global thought leader on technology and industry convergence,” said Sanjeev Vohra, global lead of Accenture Applied Intelligence and Accenture’s program lead for the MIT and Accenture Convergence Initiative for Industry and Technology. “This initiative will also give Accenture professionals and MIT faculty and students unique opportunities to explore, ideate and learn.”

Anantha Chandrakasan, dean of the MIT School of Engineering and MIT’s lead for the initiative, added: “Our new collaboration with Accenture, which will build upon prior mutual efforts, is an obvious and wonderful step forward. I can’t wait to see the many incredible educational and innovative opportunities launched through this alliance.”

About Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is dedicated to advancing knowledge and educating students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century. The Institute has more than 1,000 faculty members and over 11,500 undergraduate and graduate students. MIT’s commitment to innovation has led to a host of scientific breakthroughs and technological advances, in fields ranging from aeronautics to computing to cancer research. More information can be found at www.mit.edu.

About Accenture
Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services—all powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 506,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

# # #

Contacts:

Julie Bennink
Accenture
+1 312 693 7301
julie.l.bennink@accenture.com

Lori LoTurco
MIT School of Engineering
+1 617 253 2264
loturco@mit.edu

Copyright © 2020 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are trademarks of Accenture.