Cynthia Rudin Receives 2025 International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence McCarthy Award

Cynthia D. Rudin, the Gilbert, Louis, and Edward Lehrman Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, received the 2025 International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence Organization (IJCAI) McCarthy Award.

The award recognizes Rudin’s foundational work on trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI), which is shaping the field of interpretable machine learning and making a major impact on sweeping societal changes. 

The John McCarthy Award celebrates mid-career researchers who have sparked innovative research in the field of artificial intelligence. Throughout her time at Duke, Rudin has focused on advancing the foundations of AI to ensure it remains transparent, fair and ethical. 

“Cynthia’s pioneering research continues to shape the direction of the field, exemplifying the highest standards of scientific rigor and societal relevance,” said Jian Pei, Arthur S. Pearse Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and department chair. “Her work not only advances the foundations of AI but also ensures that it is aligned with values of transparency, fairness, and ethics — a model for us all.”