We are pleased to announce that Professor Harvey J. Alter, M.D., a 2020 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, distinguished American medical researcher, virologist, and pioneer in transfusion medicine and hepatitis research, has been elected as an Academician of the World Academy of Artificial Consciousness (WAAC) in recognition of his foundational contributions to the discovery of the hepatitis C virus, transfusion medicine safety, viral hepatitis diagnostics, and the development of global public-health security infrastructure.
Dr. Alter has long devoted his career to the study of transfusion-associated hepatitis, blood-borne viral transmission mechanisms, and blood safety systems. His early work contributed to the discovery of the Australia antigen, laying an important foundation for hepatitis B virus testing. He later conducted systematic studies of post-transfusion hepatitis at the NIH Clinical Center, revealing that many cases were caused neither by hepatitis A nor hepatitis B, but by a then-unidentified blood-borne viral infection. This work directly advanced the understanding of “non-A, non-B hepatitis” and ultimately contributed to the discovery of the hepatitis C virus.
Dr. Alter’s research has profoundly transformed modern transfusion medicine, virology, and public-health practice. The discovery of the hepatitis C virus made possible highly sensitive blood testing, transfusion screening, and subsequent antiviral therapies, providing a critical scientific basis for substantially reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis and improving blood safety worldwide. NIH has also noted that his work laid the scientific foundation for blood-donor screening systems, helping reduce transfusion-associated hepatitis to nearly zero.
In addition to the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Dr. Alter has received major international medical honors, including the Albert Lasker Clinical Medical Research Award and the Canada Gairdner International Award, and has been elected to both the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. National Academy of Medicine. WAAC believes that the reliable development of artificial consciousness and advanced intelligent systems depends not only on algorithms and model capabilities, but also on real-world knowledge, medical evidence systems, life-safety mechanisms, and public risk governance. Through decades of research, Dr. Alter uncovered hidden risks of blood-borne viral infection and translated fundamental medical discoveries into global public-health safety mechanisms, embodying a complete scientific pathway from evidence discovery and risk identification to systemic protection.
In recognition of Professor Harvey J. Alter, M.D.’s outstanding contributions to virology, transfusion medicine, medical evidence systems, and global public-health security, the World Academy of Artificial Consciousness has decided to confer upon him the title of WAAC Academician. WAAC looks forward to further promoting cross-disciplinary dialogue among artificial consciousness, medical intelligence, life and health security, and trustworthy intelligent-systems governance, and to jointly exploring new pathways through which advanced intelligent systems can serve human health, safety, and well-being.
- 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 Oxford, 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.