John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton Win Nobel for Revolutionary Contributions to AI Development
STOCKHOLM, Oct 8: The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for their groundbreaking contributions to the development of machine learning. The Nobel committee recognized their work as foundational to the field, stating that the laureates have applied principles from physics to create the methods that underpin the powerful machine learning systems used today. Hopfield, who conducts his research at Princeton University, and Hinton, who is affiliated with the University of Toronto, have made significant advancements that have shaped the technological landscape, especially in artificial intelligence.
The Nobel committee’s announcement follows last year’s award, which honored three scientists—Anne L’Huillier of France and Sweden, Pierre Agostini of France, and Ferenc Krausz, originally from Hungary. Their research provided a groundbreaking glimpse into the behavior of electrons in motion, offering insights into the superfast realm of atomic particles that are crucial to both physics and chemistry. Such discoveries hold the potential for future developments in electronics and medical diagnostics.
Earlier this week, the Nobel Prize announcements began with Americans Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. They were recognized for identifying microRNAs, tiny segments of genetic material that act as regulatory switches within cells, controlling cellular functions. Their discovery has implications for developing treatments for diseases like cancer, as understanding these genetic switches may allow scientists to manipulate them for therapeutic purposes.
The Nobel Prize in Physics, which has been awarded 117 times since its inception, comes with a monetary reward of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately USD 1 million). This prestigious prize, established by Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, is part of a series of annual awards that culminate with a ceremony on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death.
This week’s announcements will continue with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry set for Wednesday, followed by Literature on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be revealed on Friday, with the final award for Economics scheduled for October 14.
