At the 2025 International Congress of Basic Science in Beijing in the Chinese mainland, Turing Award winner Robert Tarjan joined CMG’s Zou Yun for an exclusive Leaders Talk interview after receiving the Basic Science Lifetime Award. Hailed as a visionary in computer science, Tarjan offered a rare look at the mind behind modern algorithms.
“I was that kid staring at the night sky, doing math puzzles instead of chores,” Tarjan recalled, describing an early fascination with astronomy and abstract problems. That boundless curiosity would guide him through decades of research, from exploring graph theory to designing data structures that power today’s software.
Tarjan’s groundbreaking contributions in algorithms and data structures have become foundational in everything from network analysis to database management. Yet he remains deeply invested in fundamental research, arguing that without a strong base in basic science, technological advances risk losing their long-term impact.
When asked if AI might eventually steer our world, Tarjan struck a balanced tone. “AI brings incredible promise, but it also challenges us to rethink how we validate and understand intelligent systems,” he said, emphasizing the need for transparent models and rigorous testing.
For Tarjan, the true power of basic science lies in its ability to unlock unexpected breakthroughs. “One discovery begets another,” he explained. “Our future depends on nurturing curiosity and supporting research that may not pay off immediately but reshapes what’s possible.”
As the digital landscape grows more complex, Tarjan’s message resonates: invest in the fundamentals today to build the innovations of tomorrow.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
