Posted: 27th April 2009

The impact of research in Computational Modeling, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Formal Models of Learning, and Agent-based Simulations on the discipline of Philosophy has been profound. Contemporary discussions of epistemology, ethics, theory of mind, and philosophy of language have all benefited from lively, interdisciplinary debates over the relation between computational and formal models, and traditional philosophical questions. These debates have found their way into scholarly publications and textbooks, as well as into a growing number of Masters and Ph.D. theses.

In order to recognize outstanding achievements by Graduate Students in the areas of Computational Modeling, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Formal Models of Learning, and Agent-based Simulations on the discipline of Philosophy, the International Association for Computing and Philosophy is proud to offer the Brian Michael Goldberg Memorial Award for presentations in any of the above categories. This award, which carries a USD 500 stipend, will be presented each year at one of the North American Computing and Philosophy (NA-CAP) conferences. The award is sponsored by the department of philosophy at Carnegie Mellon University and is named after a young student who died unexpectedly shortly before being able to take up a PhD place at this University.

In the second year of its existence, Comlab DPhil student Matteo Turilli has won this award in recognition of his work on computer ethics and for his research on "Translating Ethical Requirements into Software Specification". Matteo will present his work at the 2009 North American Computing and Philosophy Conference in June.