AI's Nobel-worthy guess
Business Standard|November 02, 2024
In July 2022, this column pointed out that artificial intelligence (AI) had done at least two pieces of research for which it deserved Nobel prizes.
DEVANGSHU DATTA

In July 2022, this column pointed out that artificial intelligence (AI) had done at least two pieces of research for which it deserved Nobel prizes. One was working out how to efficiently manage magnetic fields that enable controlled nuclear fusion. The other involved understanding the mechanics of protein folding, and making good guesses about the biochemical impact of such protein folding.

The 2024 Nobel Prize for Chemistry has just been awarded for the latter, "for computational protein design." Two computer scientists, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper shared half the Nobel. They conceptualized the "Alphafold" algorithm, which worked out protein folding for Google subsidiary DeepMind. Chemistry professor David Baker, who uses computerized methods to create new proteins, was awarded the other half. The Alpha algorithm was also responsible for the research into "Magnetic control of tokamak plasmas through deep reinforcement learning".

Alpha is a self-learning algorithm. It initially became famous around 2017 for playing incredibly strong chess and Go. In both games, it went far beyond the limits of human understanding. It used the same self-learning capabilities to work through protein folding and handle magnetic fields.

Denne historien er fra November 02, 2024-utgaven av Business Standard.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 02, 2024-utgaven av Business Standard.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BUSINESS STANDARDSe alt
Business Standard

How AI is Disrupting the Literary World

This summer, Ayad Akhtar was struggling with the final scene of McNeal, his knotty and disorienting play about a Nobel Prize-winning author who uses artificial intelligence to write a novel.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 02, 2024
Business Standard

Dark store surge set to spur realty demand

Quick commerce (qcom) firms are poised to impact India's real estate landscape as they expand their dark store networks to meet the growing demand.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 02, 2024
The Bibek I knew
Business Standard

The Bibek I knew

It was the early 2000s when I was setting up an economics research practice.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 02, 2024
Business Standard

Saudi revives India investment plans amid shrinking mkt share

Move aimed at ensuring a major captive market for its crude oil, even as Indian refiners mull reducing the share of expensive Saudi grades sourced under term contracts

time-read
3 mins  |
November 02, 2024
Business Standard

Tech, threats, territories - navigating industry growth in the new world order

As I step into my role as president of Nasscom, I view the next five years as a critical period, shaped by the intersection of three forces: Technology, threats, and territories.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 02, 2024
STARS AND STYLE
Business Standard

STARS AND STYLE

The two biggest ever stars of Indian movies have followed contrasting styles as brands

time-read
4 mins  |
November 02, 2024
Business Standard

Overhaul of HVLDE norms on cards

Market regulator Sebi has proposed an overhaul to the framework governing high-value listed debt entities (HVLDEs) in a bid to reduce the compliance burden.

time-read
1 min  |
November 02, 2024
Sebi moots changes to ERP framework
Business Standard

Sebi moots changes to ERP framework

Revision to allow ERPs to rate unlisted securities

time-read
1 min  |
November 02, 2024
Business Standard

Testing the Midwestern assumption

Every now and then, a moment comes when the assumptions underlying a nation's politics are completely overturned.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 02, 2024
Business Standard

From alienation to acceptance

A third of the way into Matthew Rankin's Universal Language, one stops wanting to know the film's secret and begins swimming in its mystery instead.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 02, 2024