Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to two computer scientists and people are confused

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By Dip Khatiwada

Content Writer

Updated on Oct 9, 2024

Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to two computer scientists and people are confused

The Nobel Prize for Physics for the year 2024 has been awarded to two computer scientists whose foundational work enabled a major development in the field of Machine Learning. But award has not been received lightly at all, as people are confused about whether their invention truly falls under the scope of Physics or not. Let’s dive into this article, to learn more about the latest news on Nobel Prize in Physics.

Nobel Prize in Physics Overview

Physicist John Hopfield and computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2024. The two researchers were honored for their pioneering work on artificial neural networks, a key technology behind modern artificial intelligence.

Hopfield Networks and Associative Memory Mapping

John Hopfield introduced a type of neural network now called the Hopfield network. This type of network is known for its ability to model associative memory mapping, a process where the system can store and recall patterns, much like the human brain remembers related information.

In a Hopfield network, neurons communicate with each other in cycles, allowing the network to update itself over time. This makes it useful for tasks where data needs to be matched to previously stored information, such as in error correction or pattern recognition.

Hinton’s Work on Boltzmann Machines

Geoffrey Hinton took the concepts behind Hopfield networks and leveled up by creating Boltzmann machines, taking up concepts from statistical mechanics and condensed matter physics to generate new patterns. What makes Boltzmann machines game-changing is that they were an early form of generative AI, meaning these systems could go beyond just recognizing patterns—they could actually create new data or solutions based on what they had learned. This innovation set the stage for today's deep learning models, which fuel everything from AI image generation to natural language processing.

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Backpropagation and Deep Learning

Hinton was also key in advancing the training of deep neural networks with a method called backpropagation. This technique helps AI systems adjust the connections between neurons based on their performance, improving their ability to learn from large datasets.

Nobel Prize in Physics: Conclusion

The award has also faced some criticism. Some argue that these inventions don’t fully qualify as "physics," since the Nobel Prize in Physics has traditionally been awarded for discoveries that reveal new laws or fundamental properties of nature.