Neuroscientist Gaya Dowling Joins the American Institutes for Research to Lead the AI Century Study

Led the largest long-term study on childhood brain development and health in the U.S.

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Gayathri 'Gaya' Dowling, a nationally recognized scientific leader and neuroscientist, has joined the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to lead the AI Century Study, a 100-year project that seeks to track how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping human development, education, and opportunity. 

For more than a decade, Dowling led the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the U.S. The ABCD Study is following nearly 12,000 students from late childhood through adolescence into young adulthood to track their biological and behavioral development. 

"Gaya Dowling is uniquely suited to lead the AI Century Study and help society understand the impact that artificial intelligence will have on human development, education, well-being, and all aspects of life," said Jessica Heppen, AIR president and CEO. "AI has tremendous potential to improve lives and increase opportunities if used effectively, ethically, and transparently, but there is so much we don't know. The AI Century Study will provide much-needed evidence for policy leaders, decisionmakers, and the greater public to make informed decisions."

Dowling has been leading the ABCD Study since its inception in 2015. A $500 million project of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) led by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the nationwide longitudinal study has been tracking brain, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral development for 10 years. As the director, she has overseen all aspects of the study, including its design, execution, and evaluation; data and biospecimen sharing; coordination and collaboration among agencies and partners; and the analysis, publication, and dissemination of results. 

"AI is rapidly changing the way we live, learn, and work and will touch nearly every aspect of the human experience," said Dowling, who joined AIR this month. "The AI Century Study will be critical to understanding how young people engage with AI and its impact on cognitive and social-emotional development and, ultimately, long-term health and well-being. I look forward to working with the AIR team, our partners, and the study participants." 

Prior to her work on the ABCD Study, Dowling served in other leadership roles at NIH, including deputy director for the Office of Science Policy, Engagement, Education, and Communications at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and chief of the Science Policy Branch at NIDA. She received her Ph.D. in neurobiology and bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Davis. 

The AI Century Study, announced in March, is a national, longitudinal cohort study using a mixed-methods approach. Participants will take part in repeated data collections over time, drawing on multiple sources such as surveys, interviews, and administrative records. The study will examine changes within individuals, across life stages, and across generations. Importantly, the study is designed to observe and document patterns and associations, not to intervene or manipulate AI exposure. Results will be released on an ongoing basis. 

AIR has a history of conducting forward-thinking longitudinal research. In 1960, AIR launched Project Talent, which followed high school students into adulthood to develop insights on educational attainment, occupations, family formation, military service, income, and health. The data is still being used for studies about aging, dementia, and healthcare access. 

The AI Century Study is just one aspect of AIR's AI Nexus, a trusted source for evidence, tools, and practical guidance for responsible AI. The AI Nexus generates, connects, and translates evidence about AI's effects on people, organizations, institutions, and society across sectors. AIR's work in AI is grounded in the belief that AI can be a force for good when people, organizations, and communities have access to high-quality evidence. 

About AIR
Established in 1946, the American Institutes for Research^® (AIR^®) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance both domestically and internationally in the areas of health, education, and the workforce. With headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR has offices across the U.S. and abroad. For more information, visit www.air.org.

SOURCE American Institutes for Research