An independent international prize honouring research, systems, and stewardship in artificial intelligence that demonstrably advances the human good — health, knowledge, dignity, and the commons.
The Laurel AI Prize was founded upon a single conviction: that the great instruments of our age must be judged not by the brilliance of their construction, but by the dignity they restore, the suffering they relieve, and the futures they make possible. In the long human conversation with our own tools, this is the prize that asks the older question.
Constituted as an independent body under international charter, the institution awards the world’s most consequential applications of artificial intelligence to the service of humanity — work in medicine and public health, in the climate sciences, in accessible education, in the protection of the vulnerable, and in the advance of fundamental knowledge.
Each year, in a ceremony of standing, the laurel is conferred upon those whose labour answers the founding question with quiet, irrefutable clarity: did this make us better?
The laurel is conferred in six standing categories, each represented by a chair of the Selection Committee. A seventh distinction — the Founders’ Medal — may be awarded at the discretion of the Council for a body of work of singular human importance.
Conferred upon work in diagnosis, drug discovery, surgical assistance, mental health, and the equitable delivery of medicine — measured by lives improved, not papers published.
Conferred upon advances in climate modelling, energy systems, ecological monitoring, and the responsible governance of natural resources — work that buys our species time.
Conferred upon AI systems that have meaningfully accelerated discovery in mathematics, physics, biology, materials, or other foundational sciences — and have done so transparently.
Conferred upon learning systems, tutoring agents, and educational platforms that have widened access to rigorous instruction across languages, geographies, and circumstance.
Conferred upon work that has returned speech, sight, mobility, communication, or independence to those from whom it had been withheld by injury, condition, or circumstance.
Conferred upon AI in service of public institutions, journalism, humanitarian response, the safeguarding of elections, and the durable health of democratic life.
Submissions are received from any individual, institution, or peer body. Self-nomination is not permitted. Each candidacy is supported by two independent letters of standing.
A blinded technical review is conducted by category panels of approximately twelve scholars and practitioners. Evidence of impact, rigour, and stewardship is required.
The Selection Committee convenes in closed session to deliberate the shortlist and confer with the Council. Minority opinions are recorded and preserved.
Laureates are notified by the Secretary General. The laurel, the medal, and the honorarium are conferred at the annual ceremony held the third Friday of June.
The Laurel AI Prize is constituted as an independent body and conferred without industry influence. Patrons fund only the honorarium, the convening, and the public archive — they hold no seat on the Selection Committee, and no patron has ever read a nomination. The laurel is not for sale; it is, however, made possible.
Founding Patron seats for the inaugural cycle remain open by invitation. Patrons are listed in perpetuity in the Charter, in the published proceedings, and on the seal of every laurel conferred for the year of their support.
In a joint statement issued from Genève, the founding Council formally constitutes the institution under international charter and opens the call for nominations for the inaugural cycle.
Read the full statementThe forty-two members of the inaugural Selection Committee have been confirmed and sworn to the Charter of Independence. The list will be published with the laureates.
View the procedure“We do not propose to crown the cleverest engine. We propose to honour the labour, in a difficult century, of the people who pointed it at the human good.”
Read the letter in fullSend us a message directly — no email app required.