The IEEE Spectrum article introduces the leaders and innovators receiving the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ most prestigious awards for 2026. These medals recognize contributions that have had major influence across computing, communications, education, wireless systems, and other fields central to modern technology. The honors will be presented at the IEEE Honors Ceremony in April 2026 in New York City.
At the top of this year’s roster is the IEEE Medal of Honor, the organization’s highest accolade. Jensen Huang, the founder and CEO of Nvidia, earns this award for his leadership in developing graphics processing units and driving their use in scientific computing and artificial intelligence—technologies that have become foundational in many industries.
Other medal recipients reflect a wide range of advances. Luis von Ahn, co-founder of Duolingo, receives the IEEE Frances E. Allen Medal for breakthroughs in education technology that expand access to learning and improve internet infrastructure.
In networking and internet architecture, Scott Shenker is honored with the IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal for his work on network resource allocation and software-defined networking. Wireless communications leaders Erik Dahlman, Stefan Parkvall, and Johan Sköld share the IEEE Jagadish Chandra Bose Medal for research, development, and standardization efforts that have shaped cellular technology.
Additional distinguished honorees include leaders recognized for roles in STEM education, computer vision, and simulation algorithms. Recipients span universities, industry, and research institutions around the world.
These awards underscore IEEE’s role in highlighting innovations that influence computing, connectivity, and learning. They honor not just technical achievements but contributions that advance society through technology. The full list of recipients and details about each medal are available on the official IEEE Awards site.