In a landmark achievement, scientists John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking contributions to artificial neural networks and machine learning. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the prestigious honor on Tuesday, recognizing the duo's innovative methods that have become the backbone of today's advanced machine learning technologies.
\"This year's two Nobel Laureates in physics have used tools from physics to develop methods that are the foundation of today's powerful machine learning,\" stated the Nobel committee. Hopfield, conducting his research at Princeton University, and Hinton from the University of Toronto, have revolutionized how machines learn and process information.
Ellen Moons, a committee member, highlighted their work: \"They used fundamental concepts from statistical physics to design artificial neural networks that function as associative memories and find patterns in large data sets.\" These networks are not only advancing research in physics but have also seamlessly integrated into our daily lives through applications like facial recognition and language translation.
The announcement follows closely on the heels of two American scientists receiving the medicine prize for their discovery of microRNA. Last year, the Physics Nobel was awarded to three scientists who provided unprecedented insights into the rapid world of spinning electrons, paving the way for future advancements in electronics and medical diagnostics.
The Nobel Prize in Physics, endowed with 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million) from Alfred Nobel's bequest, has been awarded 117 times to 225 laureates since its inception in 1901. The award ceremony is scheduled for December 10, marking the anniversary of Nobel's death.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
