The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is proud to announce that Professor Jeffrey S. Rosenschein, from the Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering, has been awarded the 2026 IFAAMAS Influential Paper Award. This prestigious international honor recognizes publications in the field of autonomous agents and multi-agent systems that have made enduring and transformative contributions to the landscape of Artificial Intelligence
Professor Rosenschein was selected for the 2026 award for his seminal book, co-authored with Gilad Zlotkin, titled Rules of Encounter: Designing Conventions for Automated Negotiation Among Computers (MIT Press, 1994). In the words of the committee it is “a foundational work introducing game theory and mechanism design to interactions among self-interested agents.”
The International Foundation for Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems (IFAAMAS) established this award in 2006 to highlight work that has proved a key result, led to the development of a new subfield, or presented a revolutionary way of thinking about a topic. Rules of Encounter helped define the field of multi-agent systems by introducing and promoting the application of game theory and mechanism design for creating interaction protocols among agents.
Rector of Hebrew University Prof. Oron Shagrir said: “This award highlights what enduring academic excellence looks like: ideas rigorous enough to remain foundational decades later. We congratulate Professor Rosenschein on this international honor and celebrate the contribution of Hebrew University researchers to the evolution of Artificial Intelligence and multi-agent systems.”
This marks a significant milestone for Professor Rosenschein, who previously won the award in 2007 for a research paper published in 1985. His continued recognition underscores the long-standing impact of his research on the global AI community and highlights the strength of Israeli scholarship in the high-stakes field of automated negotiation and multi-agent systems.
The award will be formally recognized at the AAMAS 2026 conference.
For over a century, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been a beacon for visionary minds who challenge convention and shape the future. Founded by luminaries like Albert Einstein, who entrusted his intellectual legacy to the university, it is dedicated to advancing knowledge, cultivating leadership, and promoting diversity. Home to over 23,000 students from 90 countries, the Hebrew University drives much of Israel’s civilian scientific research and the commercialization of technologies through Yissum, its tech transfer company. Hebrew University’s groundbreaking contributions have been recognized with major international awards, including ten Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards, and a Fields Medal. Ranked 88th globally by the Shanghai Ranking (2025), Hebrew University marks a century of excellence in research, education, and innovation. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en.
