Pattie Maes is a Belgian computer scientist and professor who is best known for her work in the fields of artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction. She was born on November 9, 1961 in Brussels, Belgium. Maes earned her Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 1990. She then went on to complete her PhD in the same field from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 1995. After completing her studies, Maes joined the faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. She is currently a professor in the Program in Media Arts and Sciences at MIT and is the director of the Media Lab's Fluid Interfaces research group. Maes' research focuses on the intersection of technology and human behavior, with a particular interest in how humans can interact with computers in more natural and intuitive ways. She has made significant contributions in the fields of intelligent user interfaces, wearable computing, and ubiquitous computing. In addition to her academic work, Maes is also a co-founder and president of the startup company Firefly Networks, which developed one of the first personalized recommendation systems. She has also received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including being named one of the "top 100 innovators" by MIT's Technology Review magazine. Maes continues to be a leading figure in the world of technology and is widely recognized for her groundbreaking research and contributions to the field of computer science and artificial intelligence.