The Right Livelihood Award has been given to women working against autocrats, discrimination and unchecked artificial intelligence, according to The Washington Post. The Washington Post reported the news on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
The publication framed the recognition around three areas of work: resisting authoritarian rule, combating discrimination, and addressing the risks of artificial intelligence that is not subject to oversight. The Washington Post did not name the recipients in its headline or summary.
The Right Livelihood Award is widely described as an alternative to the Nobel Prizes, though The Washington Post's report does not include that characterization. The publication's account presents the award as a platform for people taking on powerful institutions and emerging technologies at the same time.
The Washington Post's summary ties the three themes together, placing women who challenge autocrats alongside those confronting discrimination and those raising alarms about AI that operates without limits. The report does not detail specific cases, countries or projects behind the award.
The Washington Post's coverage is available through its website and through Google News, which lists additional headlines and perspectives on the same story.
What to watch next: whether The Washington Post or other outlets publish the full list of recipients and the specific work behind each award.
