Cynthia Dwork Receives 2026 Japan Prize

February 13, 2026

We are pleased to share that Affiliate Faculty Cynthia Dwork, Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, has received the prestigious 2026 Japan Prize honoring achievements in the fields of Electronics, Information, and Communication.

Cynthia was selected due to her work towards building an ethical digital society. She was lauded for her groundbreaking work addressing privacy and ethical issues in AI, such as algorithmic fairness, through a mathematically rigorous framework (source: Japan Prize website). For example, she pioneered the academic field of differential privacy, which uses mathematical methods for analyzing datasets while protecting individual identities. This framework has been adopted by the US government for the 2020 census and major tech companies around the world.

Created in 1983 by the Japanese government, the award recognizes scientists from around the world who have contributed to humankind through their achievements in the areas of science and technology. There is a Presentation Ceremony held annually and attended by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, the Prime Minister, and other public officials. Congratulations, Cynthia!