AI Pioneers Win 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John M. Jumper for their groundbreaking work in protein structure prediction using artificial intelligence. Baker, from the University of Washington, pioneered computational methods to design new proteins, contributing to advancements in drug development and vaccines. Hassabis and Jumper, both associated with Google DeepMind, developed the AI model AlphaFold2, which predicts the structure of nearly all known proteins, facilitating applications in medicine and biotechnology. This achievement addresses a longstanding challenge in biochemistry, allowing for a deeper understanding of the building blocks of life. The Nobel Committee highlighted the transformative potential of these discoveries in unraveling complex biological processes. The shared prize of approximately $1 million reflects the collaborative effort and impact of their work.