Geoffrey Hinton
Facts
© Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin
Geoffrey Hinton
Nobel Prize in Physics 2024
Born: 6 December 1947, London, United Kingdom
Affiliation at the time of the award: University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Prize motivation: “for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks”
Prize share: 1/2
Work
When we talk about artificial intelligence, we often mean machine learning using artificial neural networks. This technology was originally inspired by the structure of the brain. In an artificial neural network, the brain’s neurons are represented by nodes that have different values. In 1983–1985, Geoffrey Hinton used tools from statistical physics to create the Boltzmann machine, which can learn to recognise characteristic elements in a set of data. The invention became significant, for example, for classifying and creating images.
Nobel Prizes and laureates
Six prizes were awarded for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. The 14 laureates' work and discoveries range from quantum tunnelling to promoting democratic rights.
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