By Derrick Bryson Taylor
On Tuesday, John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton received the Nobel Prize in physics for their groundbreaking discoveries that have enabled computers to learn more akin to the human brain, laying the groundwork for advancements in artificial intelligence.
This recognition signifies the increasing relevance of AI in shaping our daily lives and workplaces. The Nobel committee highlighted that machine learning, which employs artificial neural networks, is already playing a significant role in scientific research, particularly in physics, where it contributes to the development of “new materials with specific attributes.”
According to the committee on the social media platform X, the innovations by Hopfield and Hinton “are built on the principles of physical science.” They provided a transformative approach for utilizing computers to assist us in addressing numerous societal challenges.
In a press conference, Hinton, often referred to as the “godfather of AI,” fielded questions from journalists about his work, voicing concerns regarding machine learning and its profound potential impact on society.
“It will be on par with the Industrial Revolution,” he remarked. “Instead of surpassing humans in physical capabilities, it will outstrip us in cognitive skills. We have never encountered entities that possess greater intelligence than ourselves.”
Despite his apprehensions, Hinton noted that the advanced technology is poised to enhance healthcare significantly. “It will lead to tremendous gains in productivity,” he added. “Nonetheless, we must also be vigilant about various potential adverse effects, particularly the risk of losing control over these technologies.”
Who are the laureates?
Hinton, who hails from just outside London, has spent most of his career in the United States and Canada since the 1970s. He recently stepped down from his role as a researcher and vice president at Google—partially, he explained, to allow himself the freedom to discuss the rise of AI—and is currently a computer science professor at the University of Toronto.
Hinton began his work on neural networks as a graduate student at the University of Edinburgh in the early 1970s, a period during which few believed in the concept. Four decades later, he intensified his efforts, collaborating with fellow researchers and receiving support from the Canadian government.
Following a significant breakthrough in neural network technology with two graduate students in 2012, Hinton joined Google. In 2019, alongside Yoshua Bengio, a computer science professor at the University of Montreal focused on safe AI development, and Yann LeCun, Meta’s chief AI scientist, he was honored with the Turing Award, often dubbed the “Nobel Prize of computing,” for their contributions to neural networks.
Hopfield, a native of Chicago, serves as an emeritus professor at Princeton University, renowned for his foundational contributions to computer science, biology, and physics.
Beginning his career at Bell Laboratories as a physicist in 1958, Hopfield felt constrained by the limits of his discipline. He transitioned to the University of California, Berkeley in 1961 as an assistant professor, and then joined Princeton’s physics faculty in 1964. After sixteen years, he became a professor at the California Institute of Technology in chemistry and biology, before returning to Princeton in 1997, this time in molecular biology.
In the 1980s, Hopfield’s research concentrated on how brain processes could inform the development of machines capable of storing and reproducing patterns. He introduced a neural network model in 1982 to explain how the brain retrieves memories, known today as the Hopfield network, thereby enabling machines to “store” memories through artificial neural networks.
What led the committee to award these scientists?
The committee explained that both laureates contributed significantly to the foundation of machine learning. Hopfield “developed a framework capable of storing and reconstructing information,” while Hinton “devised a technique that can independently identify properties within data, which is essential for the large artificial neural networks utilized today.”
What was the laureates’ reaction to the prize?
Hinton expressed his astonishment during a phone call with the committee on Tuesday, revealing that he was “astonished” to learn of the award. “I had no notion that this was on the horizon.”
Speaking from a “budget hotel” in California, Hinton mentioned that the news hit him unexpectedly. “I had planned to undergo an MRI scan today, but I believe I might need to cancel that.”
Who were the other recipients of the 2023 Nobel Prize in physics?
The prize was jointly awarded to Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, and Anne L’Huillier for their pioneering work that allows scientists to capture the motion of subatomic particles moving at unattainable speeds.
Who else received a Nobel Prize in the sciences this year?
On Monday, the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA, crucial for understanding how cells grow and operate.
When will the remaining Nobel Prizes be revealed?
— The Nobel Prize in chemistry will be given out on Wednesday by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. Last year’s award was presented to Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus, and Alexei I. Ekimov for their innovations in quantum dots, which are expected to spearhead advancements in electronics, solar cells, and secure quantum information.
— The award for the Nobel Prize in literature will be declared on Thursday by the Swedish Academy in Stockholm. Last year, Norway’s Jon Fosse was honored for his plays and prose that resonated with the “unsayable.”
— The Nobel Peace Prize will be presented on Friday by the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo. Last year’s recipient was Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian activist, recognized “for her efforts against the oppression of women in Iran and her campaign for human rights and freedom for everyone.” Mohammadi is currently serving a 10-year sentence in an Iranian prison, where concerns have been raised regarding her welfare by her legal representatives.
— The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences will be awarded on Monday by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. Last year, Claudia Goldin received the honor for her research uncovering the determinants of gender disparities in workforce participation and compensation.
All of the prize announcements will be streamed live by the Nobel Prize organization.
