The Winner of the 2026 Prize is:
A NEW CHOICE FOR HIV TESTING: Proposing a Novel Product System for At-Home HIV Testing,
Designed with a Cybernetics Approach by Danny Linitz, 2nd-year undergrad, School of Design
Two submissions have received Honorable Mention:
TWO ORDERS OF DESIGN: FROM RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE FOUNDATIONS OF CYBERNETICS by Micah Nkrumah Ardayfio (2nd-year undergrad, Info Systems)
SYSTOGRAPH: CONVERSATIONAL KNOWLEDGE GRAPHS FOR HUMAN AGENCY IN COMPLEX SYSTEMS by Barakissa Gakou (1st-year MBA, Tepper) & John Willie Giles III
Learn More about the Projects2026 JUDGING PANEL
The Judging Panel comprises an international group of scholars and practitioners with backgrounds in design, architecture, anthropology, primatology, technology, art, education, research, and transdisciplinary teamwork, working in a range of organizations and responsibilities.
2026 SUBMISSIONS PROFILES
In this 2nd year of the awarding of the Cybernetics Prize from CMU’s Laboratory for Cybernetics, 8 entries were vetted for eligibility and completeness, with 7 solo submissions + 1 two-member team. Two submissions from Architecture, 4 from Design, 1 from Information Systems (Heinz College of Information System & Public Policy), and 1 from Business (Tepper School). Lead submitter’s level were 3 PhDs, 3 masters, and 2 undergrads.
For a full description of the Prize, eligibility, criteria, and intentions, see the 2026 Cybernetics Prize Page.
The Pangaro Cybernetics Prize is funded yearly by Paul Pangaro with support from Philip G. Dorn.