Today, the Vector Institute congratulates our very own Chief Scientific Advisor, Dr. Geoffrey Hinton, for winning the Honda Prize 2019 for his pioneering research in the field of deep learning in artificial intelligence (AI) and his contribution to practical application of the technology. Dr. Hinton is also VP and Engineering Fellow, Google, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto and Advisor, Learning in Machine & Brain program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR).
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Established in 1980, the annual Honda Prize recognizes the work of individuals or groups generating new knowledge to drive the next generation, from the standpoint of eco-technology. AI is expected to play an important role not only in the advancement of science and technology but also in resolving many different global issues that humankind must address in the areas of energy and climate change.

The award caps off a year in which Dr. Hinton’s achievements, as well as the legacy of Canada’s pioneering role in AI, have yielded increasing accolades. In December, the Governor General of Canada appointed Dr. Hinton as a Companion of the Order of Canada. He was granted the 2019 Toronto Region Builder Award at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in February and in March, the Association for Computing Machinery awarded this year’s A.M. Turing Award, to Dr. Hinton and his colleagues Yoshua Bengio, scientific director of Vector’s sibling organization Mila, and Yann LeCunn, Professor at New York University and Chief AI Scientist at Facebook.

Read more about the Honda Prize and Dr. Hinton’s work here.