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Recognizing outstanding and sustained contributions to the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that have transformed the technical state of the art and its impact on society.
Nomination Deadline: 1 October 2026 - 11:59PM EDT
This award nomination requires a minimum of 3 endorsements and a maximum of 5 endorsements by the award deadline.
Nomination Questions (pdf) (Under construction)
The IEEE Computer Society Artificial Intelligence Innovator Award recognizes outstanding and sustained contributions to the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that have transformed the technical state of the art and its impact on society.
The award honors individuals whose work has fundamentally advanced AI theory, algorithms, systems, architectures, or hardware, and whose contributions have had enduring influence on research, practice, or education.
To clarify the scope of “outstanding and sustained contributions,” the award emphasizes the following aspects:
This award is designed to stimulate outstanding achievement, recognize long-term impact, and maintain clarity and consistency with existing IEEE and Computer Society awards.
The IEEE Computer Society Artificial Intelligence Innovator Award is open to individuals worldwide who have made documented, tangible, and visible fundamental contributions to Artificial Intelligence with demonstrable technical impact. Group or team nominations are not eligible.
Eligible candidates typically hold degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or closely related technical fields; however, equivalent professional experience and demonstrated professional impact may also be considered. No minimum IEEE or IEEE Computer Society membership is required for eligibility.
The award prioritizes fundamental advances in AI theory, algorithms, systems, architectures, and hardware that advance the technical state of the art within computer science and engineering. While applications of Artificial Intelligence may be considered, the Award Committee gives preference to contributions that demonstrate original technical innovation and lasting influence on the field.
There are no age restrictions for this award, and no restriction on the time period during which the qualifying achievement was accomplished, provided that the significance and impact of the contribution can be clearly documented and evaluated.
Receipt of other IEEE or IEEE Computer Society awards does not disqualify a candidate; however, the citation must recognize a distinct contribution or a substantially broader body of work than that acknowledged by prior awards.
Previous award winners are not eligible for substantially the same achievements (per IEEE Policies 4.4: An individual shall receive only one award for a given achievement, unless the significance merits a higher award, which may be given in the following year or thereafter.)
Presented Annually. The award consists of a single annual honorarium of US$10,000. The recipient shall receive one (1) crystal memento and one (1) illuminated certificate.
The award shall be documented on an official IEEE Computer Society illuminated certificate. The layout shall feature the Award Title followed by a line acknowledging the original contributions from the Distinguished Alumni of National Taiwan University. The certificate layout and use of names shall comply with IEEE Policy 10.1.13 regarding the use of IEEE and third-party marks.
Additional travel support and conference fees for the recipient may be considered by the IEEE Computer Society, subject to separate budget availability and applicable IEEE travel policies.
The recipient shall normally be invited to deliver a featured keynote address or plenary talk titled the AI Innovator Award Lecture, coordinated by the Award Committee Chair in collaboration with the host conference organizers. The recipient is expected to accept the award and deliver the lecture in person, except under extraordinary circumstances as determined by the IEEE Computer Society. If no suitable conference is identified for the award presentation, the award may be presented at the IEEE Computer Society Annual Awards Ceremony and alternate arrangements made to deliver the AI Innovator Award Lecture.
George Cybenko, Dorothy and Walter Gramm Professor of Engineering – Dartmouth College
Nominees for the IEEE Computer Society Artificial Intelligence Innovator Award shall be evaluated based on four key criteria derived from the award’s objectives: Technical Innovation, Societal and Ethical Impact, Sustained Contribution, and Intellectual Leadership. These criteria ensure alignment between the award’s purpose and the committee’s evaluation process.
To guide selection and ranking of nominations, the Award Committee may utilize the following weighted rubric:
Each nomination must include a completed nomination form, a proposed citation of no more than twenty-five (25) words, and a comprehensive description of the nominee’s technical achievements and impact. Nominations shall also be supported by at least three (3) to more than five (5) letters of endorsement from internationally recognized authorities, with at least two (2) endorsers not affiliated with the nominee’s current institution.
Final selection shall be determined by a majority vote of the voting members of the Award Committee, provided a quorum is met. The Award Committee retains final authority to edit and approve the citation text.
