Envisioning the Future of Computing Prize: 2026 Winners
The 2026 Envisioning the Future of Computing Prize attracted 60 submissions from undergraduate and graduate students across various majors, including chemistry, brain and cognitive sciences, electrical engineering and computer science, urban studies and planning, and others. All entries were eligible to win a number of cash prizes.
The grand prize of $10,000 was awarded to Rachel Sava, a PhD candidate in the Harvard–MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology. Sava won for “Superintelligence, Superintimate,” an essay on the applications of AI on neural interfacing, and what may happen if this technology was commercialized for use outside of medical needs.
The two runners up were awarded $5,000. Cordiana Cozier, a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry, was awarded for her submission on the use of AI as a cognitive buffer for public defenders. Strahinja Janjusevic, a graduate student in the Technology and Policy Program in the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, was a runner up for his essay on agency and ownership in the field of neural-controlled prosthetics. In addition, four honorable mentions were recognized with each receiving a cash prize of $500.
Meet the winners, watch their presentations, and read their essays below.
Grand Prize Winner
Superintelligence, Superintimate
Rachel Sava
Health Sciences and Technology
Harvard-MIT Program
WATCH PRESENTATION
READ ESSAY
Runners Up
Guaranteeing Agency in the Age of Neural Prosthetics
Strahinja Janjusevic
Technology and Policy Program
Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS)
WATCH PRESENTATION
READ ESSAY
Honorable Mentions
- Hara Moraitaki (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), “The Invisible Bodyguard“
- Kaede Polkinghorne (Urban Studies and Planning), “AI for Repair“
- Quilee Simeon (Brain and Cognitive Sciences), “MessAIah“
- Dylan Wootton (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), “Embedded Learning Systems“
The Envisioning the Future of Computing Prize competition is co-sponsored by the Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC), a cross-cutting initiative within the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, and the MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
Thank you to MAC3 Impact Philanthropies for their generous support of the prize this year.