AI Award Winners
Honoring the people whose work embodies MIT's mission to serve the nation and the world, from lifetime achievement to the rising stars redefining what AI can do. Meet our 2026 winners, featured first in each category below, alongside past honorees.
Lifetime Achievement Award
An Individual who already achieved several lifetimes’ worth of breakthroughs, founding or funding new innovations and launching new industries.
Better World Award
An individual who demonstrates a real commitment to building a diverse and inclusive tech community and making a Better World.
Daron Acemoglu
MIT
Professor, Nobel Laureate
Trailblazer Award
Recognizes individuals for their inspirational breakthroughs and for founding new fields of study.
Rising Star Award
It's never too early to invent groundbreaking technology, start a company, or bring innovations to market. Recognizes someone under 35 already building solutions to create a new world.
Carina Hong
Axiom Math
Founder
