Aleksandra Korolova
Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Public Affairs at Princeton University
Latvia 
United States United States Themes
Aleksandra Korolova is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Public Affairs at Princeton University, where she researches the societal impacts of algorithms, machine learning, and AI. Her work focuses on privacy-preserving algorithms, algorithmic fairness, AI audits, and differential privacy, as well as the risks and mitigation strategies for generative AI. She holds affiliations with Princeton’s Department of Computer Science, the School of Public and International Affairs, and the Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP). Korolova also serves as a panelist on the United Nations Independent Scientific Panel on AI.
Her recent publications include studies on fairness in LLM-based resume screening, external evaluations of algorithmic hiring tools, and defenses for retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems. Korolova’s research group includes students and collaborators working on high-impact projects, such as benchmarks cited in industry evaluations. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges technical and policy perspectives, making her work relevant to researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners addressing AI’s ethical and societal challenges.
From MIT to the United Nations
Aleksandra Korolova’s career traces a path from technical foundations to global policy influence. She began at MIT, where she earned her bachelor’s degree before moving to Stanford for her Ph.D. in computer science. This academic progression laid the groundwork for her later focus on the intersection of technology and society.
Her professional journey includes roles at Google as a research scientist and at Snap, Inc. as a privacy adviser. These industry positions informed her research on data-driven systems and their real-world implications. In 2022, she joined Princeton University, where she now holds a joint appointment in computer science and public affairs.
Korolova’s work extends beyond academia. In 2026, she was selected for the United Nations Independent Scientific Panel on AI. The panel brings together experts to address AI’s global challenges, reflecting her growing influence in shaping international discussions on technology governance.
Research at the Intersection of Privacy and Fairness
Korolova’s research centers on the societal impacts of algorithms and machine learning. Her work spans privacy-preserving techniques, algorithmic fairness, and AI audits. One of her key contributions is the development of methods to balance data utility with individual privacy, particularly through differential privacy.
Her recent projects examine fairness in large language models (LLMs). A forthcoming paper measures validity and fairness in LLM-based resume screening, addressing biases in automated hiring tools. Another study evaluates external audits of algorithmic hiring systems, providing frameworks for assessing their real-world performance.
Korolova also investigates risks in generative AI. Her group’s work on retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems includes defenses against vulnerabilities in these models. Their benchmarks, such as LiveCodeBench Pro, have been cited in industry evaluations, including those for Google’s Gemini 3 Pro.
Bridging Technical and Policy Perspectives
Korolova’s approach combines technical rigor with policy relevance. Her research group at Princeton includes students and postdocs working on projects that span computer science and public affairs. Recent additions to her team include Blossom Metevier, Max Springer, Hayoung Jung, Bohdan Turbal, and Anderson Lee.
Her interdisciplinary focus is reflected in her affiliations. At Princeton, she is part of the Department of Computer Science, the School of Public and International Affairs, and the Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP). These connections allow her to engage with policymakers, industry practitioners, and researchers across disciplines.
Korolova’s teaching also emphasizes ethics in computing. She contributes to Princeton’s efforts to integrate ethical considerations into computer science curricula, ensuring students learn to apply technical skills responsibly. This work aligns with her broader goal of fostering technologies that serve societal needs without compromising fairness or privacy.
Recognition and Future Directions
Korolova’s contributions have earned her several accolades. In 2025, she received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, a recognition of her early impact in the field. The following year, she was named a 2024 Sloan Research Fellow in computer science, further highlighting her influence in privacy and algorithmic fairness.
Her research output includes studies on adultification bias in LLMs and text-to-image models, published in the ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency. These projects explore how AI systems can perpetuate or mitigate harmful stereotypes, particularly against marginalized groups.
Looking ahead, Korolova continues to expand her work on AI audits and generative AI risks. Her group’s ongoing projects aim to develop benchmarks and mitigation strategies for emerging technologies. Through her role on the UN panel and her research, she remains engaged in shaping the future of AI governance and ethical innovation.