AI steps into science limelight with Nobel wins [Video]

For long periods of its history, artificial intelligence has lurked in the hinterland of science, often unloved and unfunded — but two Nobel prizes in one week suggest its time in the sunshine has finally arrived.

First on Tuesday, Geoffrey Hinton and John Hopfield won the physics prize for their pioneering work in creating the foundations of modern AI.

Then on Wednesday, David Baker, John Jumper and Demis Hassabis shared the chemistry prize for work revealing the secrets of proteins through AI.

While the trio had been among the favourites for the chemistry prize, the physics one was unexpected.

“I’m flabbergasted,” said Hinton when he was told of the prize. “I had no idea this would happen. I’m very surprised.”

He wasn’t the only one.

Online commentators wondered why a computer scientist was getting a physics prize.

And with programs such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT dominating the cultural conversation around AI, for many the idea that …