- ACM was established in 1947 by the inventors of ENIAC, the first electronic computer, to promote the exchange of ideas among the small but influential early computing community (1) - ACM provides opportunities to challenge assumptions and debate ideas, striving to raise awareness of how computing advances science and society (2) - ACM advances computing as a science through disseminating research, recognizing excellence, and providing forums for discussion, and as a profession through lifelong learning, networking, collaboration, and defining standards (3)