Payam Javan: John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton, two pioneers in artificial intelligence, were awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for their groundbreaking work in machine learning. Their contributions have revolutionized the way we live and work but have also raised concerns about potential threats posed by the technology. Hinton, often referred to as the “Godfather of AI,” currently works at the University of Toronto, while Hopfield is based at Princeton. The Nobel committee recognized their use of physics-based tools to develop artificial neural networks, which have become essential in applications like facial recognition and language translation.

Ellen Moons, a Nobel committee member, emphasized how their methods, rooted in statistical physics, have become integral not only in advancing physics research but also in everyday technologies. While the committee praised the benefits of AI, Moons acknowledged the ethical concerns surrounding its rapid growth. Hinton himself shares these concerns and has spoken out about the potential dangers of AI, having left his role at Google to freely discuss the issue. He was surprised by the Nobel honor and described AI’s potential impact as comparable to the Industrial Revolution, with both tremendous benefits and significant risks, including the fear of losing control over intelligent systems.

The announcement of the physics prize followed the award of the Nobel Prize in medicine to Americans Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of genetic material that could lead to new disease treatments. The physics prize includes a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million), with the official ceremony set for December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. The Nobel announcements will continue throughout the week, with prizes in chemistry, literature, peace, and economics still to be revealed.