‘Access to education across different cultures and languages needs to be improved’: IEEE award winner’s best work came from identifying issues, and fixing them IEEE award winner sees technology as an enabler, not a driver Lately, it seems that all the focus has been on artificial intelligence, but let us not forget that some of the most important technological breakthroughs have actually come from people who are really good at what they do. IEEE Fellow, professor and researcher Karen Panetta has spent decades applying engineering techniques to problems that extend far beyond computing to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. Her work has ranged from underwater imaging systems for search-and-rescue to wildlife monitoring systems and low-cost methods for detecting harmful pathogens – thus her work has had a really profound effect on life on Earth. Many of Panetta’s projects actually emerged from identifying real-world problems, rather than pursuing technology for technology’s sake, and that’s a clear differentiator between the people who have the biggest impact on scientific development, and those that don’t. STEM education and AI literacy should be a priority Today, research is one of the sectors most impacted by AI, and the likes of Panetta are now able to push their work even further with projects like computer and human vision. She is also the 2026 winner of the IEEE Mildred Dresselhaus Medal, acknowledged for her “contributions to computer vision and simulation algorithms, and leadership in developing programs to promote STEM careers.” Now, Panetta is a prominent voice on AI literacy and access to STEM education – as virtually every sector is rushing to deploy AI, she argues that public understanding of the technology has failed to keep pace, and the risks could soon emerge. Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the