The Institute is a mysterious organization within the Commonwealth. It is known to possess advanced technology, including the ability to produce androids of high enough quality to pass as humans.
Background
The Institute came into existence from the descendants of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Allegedly, it is currently located within the Commonwealth, the name now given in the post-atomic world to what was once the American state of Massachusetts. Little is known about the Institute aside from rumors circulating around the scientists working in the sealed environment. The Institute possesses highly advanced technology and technological skills, resulting in the creation of true artificial intelligence (AI), and are capable of creating androids.
Interactions with the player character
Another organization active in the Commonwealth, the Railroad, functions in direct opposition to the Institute, as their goal is to free the Institute's sentient androids from their creators.
Broken Steel
In Fallout 3's Broken Steel add-on it is mentioned that Dr. Madison Li supposedly went north to visit the Commonwealth, where the Institute is located, after the events of Take it Back!. Whether this was truly her intention and whether she actually made it there is currently unknown.
Appearances
The Institute is mentioned in Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas.