Editor's Note: Will artificial intelligence (AI) eventually take the lead in shaping our world? What role should fundamental science play in our shared future? In this exclusive interview on Leaders Talk, CMG's Zou Yun sits down with Turing Award winner Robert Tarjan, one of the most influential figures in modern computing, during the 2025 International Congress of Basic Science in Beijing, where Tarjan received the Basic Science Lifetime Award. Hailed as "a visionary in computer science," his work has inspired generations and left a lasting mark on the digital world. From his early fascination with astronomy and math puzzles to his groundbreaking contributions in algorithms and data structures, Tarjan offers rare insight into a lifetime of scientific pursuit. Tarjan reflects on curiosity, discovery, and the challenges and promises of AI. He also speaks of the vital importance of basic research in advancing not just technology, but our understanding of the world.