According to professor Daniela Rus, many excellent nominations caused the VinFuture Awards Council to spend months evaluating and discussing before selecting the honored works.

Professor Daniela Rus joins the VinFuture Award Council from 2025. She researches in the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and applications of these technologies. Before announcing the 2026 award winners, she shared about the selection process, project evaluation criteria and expectations for the role of science in the future of humanity.

- What is special about this year's VinFuture selection process for professors and the Award Council?

- This year there are many truly excellent nominees. There are many scientists whose work deserves recognition, so the selection process took several months. I am honored to participate in this thorough and insightful evaluation process.

With each nomination, we always ask two questions: What progress has the work made in science and knowledge, and is that knowledge capable of creating a positive and profound impact on humanity? These are also two criteria applied throughout the evaluation process.

When the award winners are announced, the public will see that each honored work represents substantive scientific advances and has the potential to create a huge impact on humanity.

- Among diverse professional opinions, what helps the Award Council reach the final consensus?

- I was impressed with the way Professor Richard Henry Friend led the discussions. He is very thorough and appreciates different perspectives.

As Chairman of the Awards Council, he often reminds us that he does not participate in voting. His goal is to ensure that all viewpoints are expressed, listened to, and thoroughly considered, leading to a consensus that all members support.

I also appreciate the opportunity to work with excellent, experienced colleagues with diverse scientific perspectives at VinFuture. It is that sense of responsibility and careful consideration that has made this journey meaningful.

- What are the notable projects that will be honored this year, ma'am?

- This year's VinFuture will honor scientists who have devoted themselves to research and finding solutions towards a sustainable future for humanity. That spirit will be present at many levels, not just in one award category.

The scientific works honored this year not only contribute to promoting the development and prosperity of humanity, but also aim to ensure that development takes place in a sustainable way for the planet.

- What research directions are you particularly interested in in this year's scientific picture?

- There are scientific issues that are very important for the future, especially when we look at the connection between natural systems and human-made technology.

For example, energy efficiency is one of the important scientific problems. A person can function all day on just the energy from a bar of chocolate, but computer systems need to consume much more energy to perform complex tasks.

This difference shows a significant gap between the energy efficiency of natural systems and engineered systems. Advances in battery technology are essential, as battery technology improves, engineered systems can get closer to the energy efficiency of natural systems.

When we achieve that, we can create superior technical systems, develop more sustainable technological methods. In addition, understanding natural systems and the connection between environmental health and human life is also especially important.

Such research reminds us that scientific progress lies not only in the ability to create more powerful technology, but also in understanding and protecting the world in which we live.

- After two years of companionship, how do you view VinFuture's role in connecting scientific intelligence and finding works of lasting value to humanity?

- I appreciate being a part of the VinFuture scientific community. The goals, aspirations and vision of the prize are huge, linked to the challenges humanity is facing.

What makes me especially impressed is VinFuture's vision, as the award not only promotes human progress, but also focuses on the future of the planet - two factors that are always closely linked.

At a time when the world is constantly changing, opportunities and challenges are intertwined, VinFuture is contributing to spreading hope and optimism through honoring meaningful scientific achievements. The precious thing lies in the recorded discoveries, the care, depth and sense of responsibility in each honor decision.

That is also what makes me feel that this journey is truly meaningful. As science continuously expands seemingly insurmountable limits, choosing achievements worthy of honor is also a journey that requires more than professional judgment. It is also a consideration of responsibility, vision and the values ​​that each discovery leaves for the future.

Quang Anh

VinFuture launched season 6 from January this year. By May, the organizing committee received 1,819 applications, more than tripled compared to the first season. VinFuture's officially nominated partner network continues to expand with 17,154 partners from 117 countries and territories on all 5 continents. The VinFuture 2026 awards ceremony is expected to take place in early December.