The Inaugural Shaw Prize in Computer Science: Celebrating Innovation and Excellence

On January 28, 2026, the Shaw Prize Foundation made a significant announcement—the establishment of the Shaw Prize in Computer Science. This award joins an esteemed lineup of existing honors in Astronomy, Life Sciences, Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences. Designed to recognize remarkable achievements in the field of computer science, the award aims to bring global attention to groundbreaking contributions and innovative ideas.

A Diverse Inaugural Selection Committee

The inaugural selection committee features a cadre of world-renowned experts, including Turing Award winners, former university presidents, and senior leaders from the IT and education sectors. Among them is Professor Jennifer Chayes, Dean of the School of Information, Data Science, and Society at UC Berkeley, who leads the committee. Chayes asserts that the committee’s diverse composition is a vital strength, ensuring a balanced, inclusive, and rigorous evaluation process for award nominees.

Recognizing Exceptional Contributions

Tony Chan, former president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), played a pivotal role in bringing the Shaw Prize to fruition. He anticipates that the award will leverage its prestige and history to acknowledge truly outstanding contributions to computer science. John L. Hennessy, another ex-university president and Turing Award recipient, expressed hope that the Shaw Prize will serve as a deep recognition of both the significance and intellectual depth of the discipline.

The committee also includes acclaimed Turing Award winners, such as professors Jack Dongarra, Yann LeCun, and Joseph Sifakis, each of whom has greatly contributed to the field of computer science. Dongarra, who received the Turing Award in 2021, stated that it is a privilege to help define the foundations of this new award. He hopes that the prize will showcase bold ideas defining the field, especially those emerging in recent years.

Sifakis, awarded in 2007, addressed the profound challenges within computer science, emphasizing that the quest for intelligence requires exploring mental phenomena and understanding the emergence of consciousness in living organisms.

LeCun, who received the Turing Award in 2018 and has held leadership roles in AI at Meta, highlighted the importance of computer science as one of humanity's most critical capabilities.

The Global Impact of Computer Science

Professor Harry Shum, chairman of the HKUST Council, acknowledged the rapid advancements in computer science, which are nudging society closer to reaching human-level intelligence. He noted that this development could profoundly affect humanity, mostly positively, but with significant concerns that must be addressed.

In closing, Professor Jeannette M. Wing, Executive Vice President for Research and Professor of Computer Science at Columbia University, celebrated the Shaw Prize Foundation’s recognition of computer science and honored those who have advanced the field scientifically and technologically—imperatives that transform our everyday lives.

Looking Ahead

Nominations for the award will be open from September to November 2026, with the first winner expected to be announced in spring 2027. The establishment of the Shaw Prize in Computer Science represents a visionary step towards recognizing the crucial contributions that innovators in this field continue to make across the globe. As we await the inaugural laureate, anticipation builds for what insights and advancements this prestigious award will unveil for the world of computer science.

This article is a translation of the original announcement. For precise details, please refer to the English version.