Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the "Godfather of AI," along with physicist John Hopfield, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for their significant contributions to the field of artificial intelligence. Their research, which dates back to the 1980s, has laid the groundwork for advancements in neural networks that are transforming industries and society, though it also raises important ethical questions.
The Nobel committee recognized Hinton, 76, and Hopfield, 91, "for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks." The announcement was made on October 8 in Stockholm.
After receiving the news, Hinton expressed both pride and concern, saying, "In the same circumstances, I would do the same again, but I am worried that the overall consequence of this might be systems more intelligent than us that eventually take control." In 2023, he made headlines when he left his position at Google due to worries about the societal risks posed by AI technology, stating, "It's not inconceivable" that artificial intelligence could lead to humanity's downfall.
Hopfield, a professor at Princeton University, was honored for developing the "Hopfield network," a model used for associative memory that helps store and reconstruct patterns in data. His contributions have greatly impacted AI's capabilities in information recognition and organization.
When informed of the award while in a thatched cottage in England, Hopfield expressed his surprise, describing the experience as "astounding" and "heartwarming." He had just returned from a flu shot and a coffee run.
Ellen Moons, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, emphasized that neural networks are now essential in everyday technologies, such as facial recognition and language translation. However, she warned of the rapid development of AI and its potential implications for humanity, stating, “Humans carry the responsibility for using this new technology in a safe and ethical way.”
Hinton highlighted the transformative potential of AI, comparing it to the industrial revolution but emphasizing that AI will surpass humans in intellectual capability rather than physical strength. He acknowledged that society is venturing into uncharted territory, noting, “We have no experience of what it’s like to have things smarter than us."
The Nobel Prize in Physics is one of the world's most esteemed awards, granting winners a diploma, a gold medal, and a $1 million prize. Hinton and Hopfield's recognition comes shortly after the 2024 Nobel Medicine Prize was awarded to American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their research on microRNA.
Hinton and Hopfield will receive their Nobel Prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf in Stockholm on December 10, coinciding with the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. Since its inception in 1901, the Nobel Prize has honored individuals whose work has provided significant benefits to humanity, as envisioned by its founder, Alfred Nobel.
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