Our CEO Mária Bieliková – Laureate of the ESET Science Award!

The evening of October 10th was marked by the celebration of science and its contributions to society. The prestigious ESET Science Award was presented to our CEO, Professor Mária Bieliková, who was recognized in the main category of Outstanding Scientist in Slovakia. This achievement confirms the significant impact of Mária’s work in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The ESET Science Award, granted by the ESET Foundation since 2019, honors scientific personalities whose work over the past decade has exceptionally contributed to the awareness of science in Slovakia and in the global scientific context, while also influencing other areas of life in Slovak society. Mária Bieliková was recognized for her international contribution to artificial intelligence and for founding the independent Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies, which supports the development of young talents in Slovakia in this field. Her work focuses on machine learning and addressing the problem of information overload in the online space, contributing to excellent science and linking the academic sector with the business environment.

The jury, which decided on the laureates, consisted of renowned world scientists such as Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier, Professor Michael Reece from the field of material science, Jürgen Schukraft from the field of nuclear research at CERN, Subhashis Banerjee from the field of informatics, and Ján Trka working in oncology.

The gala evening, broadcast live on Dvojka, was enriched with artistic, musical, and dance performances that paid tribute to science and nature.

In an emotional speech after receiving the award, Mária Bieliková emphasized the importance of interdisciplinarity and collaboration in science. She expressed gratitude to ESET and all those who supported her on her journey. “It is a small piece on the endless path I am on,” she said. She stressed that without the support of her family, colleagues, and partner companies, such achievements would not have been possible. Mária also touched on her initial interest in psychology and how she ultimately decided on technology and informatics, highlighting that computer scientists create systems for people and their connection is crucial. “After the night, there always comes a day,” she concluded her speech with optimism.

The ESET Science Award is not only a great recognition for Mária Bieliková and our work at the institute, but also an inspiration and encouragement for young scientists and the entire Slovak scientific community to continue their innovative work with a global impact.