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We are pleased to announce that Giacomo Rizzolatti, Professor Emeritus of Physiology at the University of Parma and a pioneering figure in mirror-neuron research, has been elected an Academician of the World Academy for Artificial Consciousness (WAAC), in recognition of his foundational contributions to the discovery and mechanistic elucidation of mirror neurons, action understanding and social cognition, and self–other representation and consciousness.
Over the past decades, Professor Rizzolatti and the “Parma school” have systematically revealed the mirror-neuron mechanism: his team first reported mirror neurons in the macaque ventral premotor cortex (area F5) and proposed their key role in action understanding and imitation; subsequent work helped establish the mirror-neuron system in humans and its broader theoretical framework, advancing research in social cognition and consciousness. In recognition of these advances, he shared The Brain Prize in 2014.
- Global Collaboration and Academic Ecosystem
Academicians of the World Academy for Artificial Consciousness hail from institutions such as Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Cambridge, the University of California, the French Academy of Sciences, the University of Padua, the University of Queensland, Columbia University, and the University of Exeter. Honorary Academicians come from a wide range of countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Canada, Australia, Spain, and China. In addition, leading scientists from prominent research institutes and technology companies—such as Google, the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and ZEEKR—also participate.
- About WAAC
The World Academy for Artificial Consciousness (https://www.waac.ac/) is a global academic institution established in Paris in 2025. Its mission is to advance frontier research and international collaboration in artificial consciousness through the integration of science, technology, and philosophy. The Academy publishes open research, policy recommendations, evaluation standards, and more. The current President is Academician Yucong Duan, and the Secretary-General is Dr. Yingbo Li. The Honorary Academician List: On May 3, 2025, WAAC released its first batch of Top 100 Honorary Academicians, recognizing scholars who have made foundational or leading contributions to the theory of artificial consciousness.