Watch famous MIT Research Scientist whistleblower, Dr. Babak Babakinejad Ph.D., speak at National Whistleblower Center’s 2023 National Whistleblower Day celebration. Dr. Babak Babakinejad speaks about his whistleblowing during his time at the MIT Media Lab’s Open Agriculture Initiative and Food Computer Project. MIT promoted the Food Computers as cutting-edge agricultural technology platforms capable of carefully controlling the environment and using artificial intelligence to potentially solve the world food crisis. MIT used the Initiative to raise funding from wealthy donors, big corporations, the US government, and others. After raising concerns about the false successes of the project and environmental hazards, MIT retaliated against Dr. Babakinejad, leaving him no other option but to take legal action and publicly blow the whistle. It was only after Dr. Babakinejads’ public whistleblowing through media outlets like The New York Times, and ProPublica, that MIT shut down the project. Dr. Babakinejad is still seeking justice and accountability for the matters he brought forward. He strongly advocates for better policies to prevent corruption in institutions and stronger protections for whistleblowers who face retaliation.
