Paul McDonagh-Smith

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Paul McDonagh-Smith

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Paul McDonagh-Smith is a Visiting Senior Lecturer in Information Technology at the MIT Sloan School of Management. In his research and teaching, Paul creates key intersection points between technology and business. He specializes in translating computer and data science into measurable business value that evolves organizational capability, transformation, and strategy.

He teaches in MIT Sloan’s, ‘Accelerating Digital Transformation with Algorithmic Business Thinking’, and ‘Digital Learning Strategy’ programs. As an early pioneer in Digital Reality, Paul has successfully invented and innovated with Extended Reality (XR) and metaverse technologies across multiple industries for more than 20 years and is a featured lecturer in MIT Sloan’s, ‘Business Implications of Extended Reality (XR): Harnessing the Value of AR, VR. Metaverse, and More’ program. Paul also teaches in, and contributes to, a wide range of MIT Sloan Executive Education programs.

McDonagh-Smith plays a role in shaping the growing portfolio of digital programs at MIT Sloan Executive Education. He collaborates with the MIT Sloan team to define digital strategy and drives transformative technology experimentation.

Through close collaboration with Faculty, Labs, and Schools across MIT, as well as an extensive global network of industry partners, Paul’s approach to entrepreneurship is built upon a bias for practical action. More technology ‘presentist’ than technology ‘futurist’, Paul enables teams to invent their future, starting today.

He provides digital transformation, business model and strategy guidance to organizations across multiple industries and geographies as well as to a range of international government departments.

Prior to MIT, Paul held senior roles in Optical Network Systems Engineering, R&D, Emerging Products and Technology, Business Transformation and Human Resources during a 20-year career in the telecoms industry.

Paul is an advisor to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, under the supervision of chief scientist, Dr. James B. Garvin.

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Executive Education

Executive Education Course

Algorithmic Business Thinking Sprint

In this on-demand, asynchronous learning experience from MIT Sloan Executive Education, Faculty Director Paul McDonagh-Smith introduces the concept of Algorithmic Business Thinking—a framework for understanding the key principles of algorithms, code, and data and a methodology for applying those principles across role and departments, from products and service to business functions like finance, sales, and marketing.

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Executive Education Course

Business Implications of Extended Reality (XR)

In this program, you will be guided through this course by MIT Sloan Senior Lecturer Paul McDonagh-Smith, an early pioneer in this space who has successfully invented and innovated with XR and metaverse technologies across multiple industries for more than 20 years. Throughout the course, you’ll have the chance to apply research-based frameworks and models to real world business opportunities and challenges. You will deepen your understanding of how XR and metaverse technologies can be used in your organizations and industries to create new value and sustainable competitive advantage today.

  • Dec 6-8, 2023
  • Sep 21-22, 2023
  • Aug 1-2, 2024
  • Mar 13-15, 2024
  • Sep 25-27, 2024
  • May 20-22, 2024
  • Oct 16-17, 2025
  • Mar 4-6, 2025
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