File photo: The Shaw Prize Award Presentation Ceremony 2025 is held at the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on October 21, 2025. Photo: VCG

In a significant move recognizing the transformative power of the digital age, the Shaw Prize, often dubbed the "Nobel of the East," this week announced the establishment of a new prize category dedicated to Computer Science. The award aims to honor groundbreaking achievements in a field that is reshaping the modern world.

Leading the selection committee for this prestigious new prize is renowned scientist and academic leader Jennifer Chayes. In an exclusive interview, Professor Chayes emphasized the profound statement made by this addition. "By creating this prize, the Shaw Prize Foundation is declaring that computer science is a foundational science on par with life sciences, mathematics, or astronomy," she stated. This elevation, she believes, will significantly propel the field forward, validating its deep intellectual pursuit and inspiring future generations to explore its fundamental questions.

A core ethos for Professor Chayes is the borderless nature of science. Reflecting on her over two decades of collaboration with scientists in Beijing, she highlighted the global scientific community's interconnectedness. "I've mentored many researchers there who I feel are like my children," she shared, noting her close ties with institutions like Tsinghua and Fudan universities. She pointed to Tsinghua's remarkable output, stating it published more papers at the top AI conference NeurIPS last year than any other institution globally, a testament to China's formidable and integrated presence in the field.

Looking at the specific force of Artificial Intelligence, Professor Chayes predicts dramatic societal transformation within 5-10 years. She advocates for a balanced approach: while fears exist, halting AI development would be "unethical" given its immense potential benefits, such as finding cures for cancer or combating climate change. She acknowledges AI's risk of exacerbating societal polarization and centralizing power but remains cautiously optimistic. "It puts incredible power in the hands of individuals… one hopes that it will also empower individuals in large numbers," she noted, suggesting AI could foster a new balance if accessible to all.

To thrive in this AI-augmented future, Professor Chayes stresses the need for "career resilience." Education must evolve to teach people how to work "with" AI as collaborative partners and team members, not just as tools. "If they're on a team that has no AI agents, that team will fail relative to the team that has AI agents," she cautioned, urging educators to prepare students for this reality.

A passionate advocate for women in STEM, Professor Chayes drew from her own journey in male-dominated fields. She mentors hundreds of women, encouraging them to articulate bold aspirations and combat implicit bias. "Sometimes I see [women] being called a good team member… I see somebody else being called a leader," she observed, urging women to recognize their power and claim descriptors like "world expert." For her, supporting women scientists is imperative: "The world can't afford to lose them."

The Shaw Prize was established in 2002 and is managed and administered by the Shaw Prize Foundation. Since 2004, the Shaw Prize has been awarded annually.In 2025, four scientists were honored across three categories: Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences, with each award carrying a prize of US$1.2 million. The Shaw Prize Foundation announced the addition of a Computer Science award, bringing the total number of prize categories to four. 

Global Times