The Alan J. Perlis Award for Imagination in Computer Science
– The Perlis award was established in 2013 to recognize a single individual at CMU who has shown sustained creativity in out-of-the-box computer science, leading to demonstrated real-world impact.

• Robert F. Murphy, 2020
  For vision, courage, leadership and community building in pioneering the use of, and education about, computational methods in biology.

• Jaime G. Carbonell, 2019
  For visionary leadership and pioneering contributions that have resulted in language technologies becoming a pillar of Artificial Intelligence.

• Tom Mitchell, 2017
  For visionary leadership and scientific contributions spanning artificial intelligence, data science, and neuroscience.

• William 'Red' Whittaker, 2014
  For sustained creative contributions and leadership on the world stage in high-risk, high-payoff research in field and mobile robotics.

• Illah Nourbakhsh, 2013 (Inaugural)
  For sustained creative contributions in imagining, developing and applying robotic technologies that empower everyday citizens and scientists.