Nobel Prizes 2024: AI in Physics and Chemistry

2024-10-17

Nobel Prizes 2024: AI in Physics and Chemistry

This year’s Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry highlight the groundbreaking role of artificial intelligence in those fields. To get insights into this significant development, we reached out to Dr Mikołaj Buchwald – an expert from the PSNC Internet Services Department, whose research interests include cognitive neuroscience, machine learning methodology, as well as using AI plus advanced data analysis to explain human physiology and psychology.

– In an era of the growing role of AI in our lives, the Nobel Committee’s decision is interesting in that it shows the scientific basis for the revolution we are currently witnessing. Without the academic discoveries of experts such as John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton, AI that helps us in everyday life and work would still be unattainable for a long time. At this point, it is also worth mentioning the names of other scientists who contributed to the development of computational methods that enabled today’s extremely powerful artificial neural networks. Scientists such as Marvin L. Minsky (computer scientist and cognitive scientist) or Walter Pitts (logician and computational neuroscientist) admittedly did not live to win a Nobel Prize but we should remember that the ultimate success of science consists of a series of discoveries made by academics over decades. Interestingly, Geoffrey Hinton, dubbed the “godfather of artificial intelligence,” was awarded the world’s most prestigious scientific prize, despite the controversy circulating his name, regarding his statements about the dangers that accompany the development of artificial intelligence, but also his role in the implementation and manner of introducing AI-based algorithms at Google, when he was still working with the company – explains dr Buchwald.

What kind of research concerning that is conducted at PSNC?

– Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center also takes pride in significant achievements in the field of applied artificial intelligence. The projects we are conducting are directed at developing AI in domains such as medicine, administration and psychology. The AI-based solutions our colleagues are working on are contributing to the well-being of people in Poland, Europe, and around the world. We are aware of the pitfalls accompanying the development of technologies as disruptive as AI, nevertheless, our intention is to work on human-friendly AI for the greater public good. Our projects are directed primarily at helping those most in need: cancer and cardiac patients, or people with cognitive disabilities, but we also aim to help ordinary citizens. We are constantly looking for ways in which AI can facilitate cumbersome and repetitive tasks humans need to do, so that people can focus on what is truly important for us.

Full list of Nobel Prize 2024 winners.