AI pioneers win the Turing Award, tech’s top prize

Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton, two pioneers in the field of reinforcement learning, have been awarded the A.M. Turing Award, the top computer science prize. Their research, which began in the 1970s, paved the way for recent AI breakthroughs, including a Google computer program beating human players of Go and improving AI tools like ChatGPT. Reinforcement learning involves machines adapting their behavior in response to positive signals, similar to how animal trainers mold the behavior of dogs or horses. Barto and Sutton's work was initially met with skepticism, but it has since become a central pillar of the AI boom, driving investments and attracting young researchers. The two scientists developed theories and algorithms that enabled machines to learn from experience, a concept proposed by Alan Turing in 1947. Barto and Sutton's approach borrowed from psychology and neuroscience, and they published a widely used textbook on reinforcement learning. While they disagree on the risks of AI agents, they distinguish their work from generative AI technology, which mimics human writing and other media. Sutton is optimistic about the potential of AI, expecting it to lead to beings of greater intelligence than humans, while Barto is more cautious, warning of potential unexpected consequences. The award, sponsored by Google, recognizes the duo's contribution to the development of artificial intelligence.