Cagan to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has awarded Jon Cagan, George Tallman and Florence Barrett Ladd Professor and David and Susan Coulter Head of Mechanical Engineering, the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Computers and Information in Engineering Division. 

This prestigious award recognizes one individual who has had a significant impact on the use of computers in engineering practice and/or education. 

Cagan is regarded as a founding father of AI engineering, having pioneered the field of AI and machine learning for product design innovation. His research integrates models of how human designers think and work with computational design methods and design practice, with the goal of enhancing their effectiveness. He developed the first generation of generative computational design systems capable of producing solutions to complex, open-ended engineering design problems. 

His recent work focuses on hybrid human/AI teams and has led to the development of the “AI Coach” with colleague Chris McComb, a system that monitors design team dynamics, in real time, and offers feedback to improve collaborative problem solving. Teams working with the AI Coach have shown enhanced quality of product design, optimized improvements, faster response to unforeseen changes and an increase in team member learning and satisfaction. AI Coach is now being used in professional environments. 

Cagan’s interdisciplinary approach exemplifies CMU’s culture of advanced collaboration. His research brings together expertise in engineering, psychology, neuro-science, marketing, design, computer science, and architecture.

He also co-founded and co-directed CMU’s Integrated Innovation Institute and launched the university’s first master’s program in integrated design innovation. Cagan was among the first at CMU to include corporate sponsorship into design education which resulted in several commercial and award-winning student-designed products.

Cagan is a Fellow in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and will be honored during the IDETC-CIE Conference in mid-August.