Design has always shaped human progress — and today, it defines our future. When design places people at its center, it does more than solve problems; it advances humanity.

We stand at a defining moment. Artificial intelligence and digital transformation are accelerating at unprecedented speed. Yet true progress is measured not by intelligence alone, but by its impact on human lives. AI can optimize, accelerate, and transform — but only human-centered design ensures technology remains ethical, inclusive, safe, and empowering.

As machines grow more capable, our responsibility as designers, innovators, and researchers grows greater. We must design with empathy, create meaningful value for people, and build systems that are trusted and inclusive. At the same time, we must push the boundaries of what design can achieve — strengthening our profession, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, and shaping a more profoundly human future.

It is in this spirit that we launch the inaugural Human-Centered Design Award — to celebrate those who design with purpose and empathy, who translate insight into meaningful impact, and who challenge conventions to advance human progress. We honor work that combines innovation with responsibility, design excellence with compassion, and meaningful impact with bold vision.

We invite designers, innovators, researchers, organizations, and multidisciplinary teams from around the world to be part of this founding chapter — to showcase solutions that are ethical, inclusive, and profoundly human. The future will not be shaped by technology alone, but by those who design it with humanity in mind.

Together, let us advance human progress — through human-centered design.