Scientists John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking discoveries and innovations that have enabled machine learning within artificial neural networks, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on Tuesday.
The prestigious prize, which carries a sum of 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million), will be shared between the laureates. In a statement, the award committee highlighted that “this year’s Nobel Laureates in physics have utilized tools from physics to develop methods that form the foundation of today’s powerful machine learning technologies.”
Established in the will of Alfred Nobel, the Nobel Prize in Physics is widely regarded as the most esteemed accolade for physicists. It has been awarded since 1901, recognizing figures such as Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, and Enrico Fermi.
Last year’s prize went to Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, and Anne L’Huillier for their development of ultra-short pulses of light, enabling a deeper understanding of atomic changes, which could enhance disease detection.
Physics is the second Nobel Prize announced this week, following U.S. scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, who were honored with the Medicine Prize for their discovery of microRNA and its role in gene regulation.
