On Tuesday, scientists John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking contributions that paved the way for the growth of artificial neural networks. This technology has become a fundamental component in the functioning of search engines like Google and various online chatbots, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
The prize recognized Dr. Hopfield for his creation of the Hopfield network in the early 1980s, as well as Dr. Hinton for his development of the Boltzmann machine in subsequent years. Their recognition was unexpected for many in the fields of physics and artificial intelligence, including the laureates themselves.
In 2019, Dr. Hinton was recognized alongside two colleagues with the Turing Award, often regarded as the “Nobel Prize of computing,” for their achievements in neural networks. He gained international attention last year when he departed from his position at Google, issuing a warning that the artificial intelligence technologies he had a hand in developing could potentially pose a threat to humanity.
Despite his significant contributions, Dr. Hinton does not have a background in physics. He often recounted a humorous introduction he received at a conference, where he was described as someone who had “failed at physics, dropped out of psychology, and then joined a field with no standards at all: artificial intelligence.” Known for his witty, self-deprecating style, he enjoyed sharing this anecdote while also noting a key caveat.