The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Geoffrey Hinton and John Hopfield for their pioneering work on artificial neural networks and deep learning, technologies that have revolutionized artificial intelligence (AI). Their research has not only pushed the boundaries of physics, but has opened new avenues in the world of AI technology and practical applications.
Geoffrey Hinton, born in London in 1947 and a professor at the University of Toronto, is considered one of the fathers of AI. His most famous contribution was the development of the Boltzmann Machine, a type of neural network that uses principles of statistical physics to recognize and learn from data. The use of this model has allowed the birth of deep neural networks (deep learning), used today in a wide range of applications, from artificial vision to image and text recognition.
Hinton, who won the 2018 Turing Award for his groundbreaking work, has always expressed concern about AI risks, so much so that in 2023 he left Google to openly discuss these issues. Nevertheless, its contribution remains crucial to the development of current artificial intelligence systems.
John Hopfield, born in Chicago in 1933, developed neural networks capable of reproducing the functioning of the associative memory of the human brain. The Hopfield network, introduced in the 1980s, is a mathematical model that can store and reproduce complex data, such as images, even when they are partially damaged or incomplete. Using concepts derived from physics, Hopfield has created a system which Like the human brain, it can complete and reconstruct missing information.
His research has laid the foundation for many of today’s modern machine learning applications, helping to develop increasingly sophisticated machine learning techniques.
Hinton and Hopfield were awarded for their innovative approach, which combined concepts from physics with computer technology to create learning models capable of mimicking human cognitive processes. Artificial neural networks, inspired by their discoveries, are now the basis for everyday applications such as speech recognition and algorithmic cues.
The 2024 Nobel Prize reflects the importance of these discoveries not only for physics but also for humanity, highlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the future of science and society
SOURCE: Sky TG24
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Viola Meacci, student of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Pisa, has always been interested in the world of journalism. In her job, she explored the world of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, NFT and metaverse which she now very is passionate about it .