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Photo: Professor Geoffrey Hinton

Ulysses Medal Awarded to Professor Geoffrey Hinton: The Godfather of AI

In tribute to one of the most influential figures in artificial intelligence (AI), Professor Geoffrey Hinton has been bestowed with the prestigious Ulysses Medal, the highest honour conferred by University College Dublin (UCD) on Monday 8th April 2024.

This remarkable event not only recognises Professor Hinton's groundbreaking contributions but also signifies a profound acknowledgment of the transformative power of AI on a global scale.

The Ulysses Medal is a symbol of outstanding achievement and contribution to the academic world, whose impact transcends disciplines and resonates throughout society. It is awarded annually by UCD to individuals whose work has made a profound impact on society. Previous recipients of the UCD Ulysses Medal include former US President Bill Clinton, Professor Noam Chomsky, novelist Frank McGuinness, Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney, and former Irish President Mary McAleese.

As Director of Research, Impact and Innovation for the School of Computer Science, Dr Andrew Hines sought to propose a candidate of a similar calibre in the field of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence and nominated Professor Hinton for the award.

Pictured L-R at UCD O’Reilly Hall are Assistant Professor Andrew Hines, College Principal Professor Jeremy Simpson, UCD President Professor Orla Feely, Professor Geoffrey Hinton, VP for Research, Innovation and Impact Professor Kate Robson Brown and Associate Professor Neil Hurley, Head of School of Computer Science.

Pictured Assistant Professor Andrew Hines, UCD School of Computer Science delivering the citation

Pictured: Professor Geoffrey Hinton

Pictured L-R Professor Geoffrey Hinton, UCD President Professor Orla Feely and Assistant Professor Andrew Hines, UCD School of Computer Science

Pictured L-R Professor Geoffrey Hinton and Professor Orla Feely, UCD President

Professor Geoffrey Hinton: A Pioneer in AI

Professor Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the "Godfather of AI," has been at the forefront of AI research for decades. The great-great-grandson of logician George Boole whose work, undertaken in Ireland, underpins the foundations of modern computer science, Professor Hinton received his BA in Experimental Psychology from Cambridge in 1970 and his PhD in Artificial Intelligence from Edinburgh in 1978.

His pioneering work in deep learning and neural networks has laid the foundation for revolutionary advancements in AI applications, from image recognition to natural language processing. He has also played a crucial role in mentoring and educating the next generation of AI researchers.

A Legacy of Innovation

Throughout his illustrious career, Professor Hinton has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of modern AI. His research has not only pushed the boundaries of what is possible but has also inspired a new generation of scientists and engineers to explore the potential of AI. From his early work on backpropagation to his more recent endeavours in unsupervised learning, Hinton's contributions have been nothing short of transformative.

Looking to the Future

As we celebrate the accomplishments of Professor Geoffrey Hinton, we are reminded of the immense potential of AI to shape the world around us. His work serves as a testament to the power of innovation and underscores the importance of continued research and exploration in the field of artificial intelligence.