Pioneering Computer Scientist Joe Halpern Dies at 72

Halpern was a trailblazer in reasoning about knowledge, uncertainty, and multi-agent systems.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Joseph 'Joe' Halpern, a renowned computer scientist who made groundbreaking contributions to fields like artificial intelligence, philosophy, and economics, passed away on February 13 in Ithaca, New York at the age of 72. Halpern was a professor at Cornell University for over 30 years and was known for his influential research as well as his dedication to teaching and mentoring students.

Why it matters

Halpern was a pioneering figure in theoretical computer science, developing new frameworks and approaches that fundamentally shaped how researchers think about knowledge, uncertainty, and multi-agent systems. His work had far-reaching impacts across multiple disciplines and he was widely respected and honored by his peers for his technical insights as well as his collaborative and mentoring spirit.

The details

Over the course of his 45-year career, Halpern co-authored three books and published more than 300 research papers. He was a recipient of prestigious awards like the Gödel Prize, the Edsger Dijkstra Prize, and the Allen Newell Award. At Cornell, Halpern taught a wide range of courses from introductory math to graduate-level classes on topics like reasoning about knowledge and uncertainty. He served as chair of the Department of Computer Science from 2010 to 2014 and was named the Joseph C. Ford Professor of Cornell Duffield Engineering in 2017.

  • Halpern passed away on February 13, 2026 in Ithaca, New York.
  • A memorial service was held for Halpern on February 16, 2026 in Ithaca.

The players

Joe Halpern

A pioneering computer scientist who made groundbreaking contributions to fields like artificial intelligence, philosophy, and economics. He was a professor at Cornell University for over 30 years.

Lorenzo Alvisi

The Tisch University Professor in Computer Science and chair of the Department of Computer Science in the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science.

Jon Kleinberg

The Tisch University Professor of Computer Science and Information Science at Cornell University.

Fred Schneider

The Samuel B. Eckert Professor of Computer Science at Cornell University.

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What they’re saying

“Joe was as close to the ideal of a Renaissance man as I have met.”

— Lorenzo Alvisi, Tisch University Professor in Computer Science and chair of the Department of Computer Science (cornell.edu)

“Watching Joe in action was to see his own mind pursue knowledge in an uncertain world: In his work, he was a creator of beautiful abstractions.”

— Jon Kleinberg, Tisch University Professor of Computer Science and Information Science (cornell.edu)

“He asked new questions that then became central lines of inquiry. He then proceeded to develop new frameworks that not only led to the answers but also provided a new lens for viewing the subject.”

— Fred Schneider, Samuel B. Eckert Professor of Computer Science (cornell.edu)

The takeaway

Halpern's pioneering work and influential impact on fields like artificial intelligence, philosophy, and economics underscores the profound influence a single brilliant and dedicated scholar can have. His legacy as a trailblazing researcher, beloved mentor, and collaborative colleague will continue to inspire future generations of computer scientists.