You Can Take a Stake in Elon's xAI Before June 1st...

Elon Musk's private AI firm xAI may have just leapfrogged ChatGPT and Google's Gemini--building what experts call the future of AI. For the first time, you can take a stake starting at $500.

AI pioneers who channeled 'hedonistic' machines win computer science's top prize

MATT O'BRIEN
March 05, 2025

Teaching machines in the way that animal trainers mold the behavior of dogs or horses has been an important method for developing artificial intelligence and one that was recognized Wednesday with the top computer science award.

Two pioneers in the field of reinforcement learning, Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton, are the winners of this year's A.M. Turing Award, the tech world's equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

Research that Barto, 76, and Sutton, 67, began in the late 1970s paved the way for some of the past decade's AI breakthroughs. At the heart of their work was channeling so-called "hedonistic" machines that could continuously adapt their behavior in response to positive signals.

Reinforcement learning is what led a Google computer program to beat the world's best human players of the ancient Chinese board game Go in 2016 and 2017. It's also been a key technique in improving popular AI tools like ChatGPT, optimizing financial trading and helping a robotic hand solve a Rubik's Cube.

But Barto said the field was "not fashionable" when he and his doctoral student, Sutton, began crafting their theories and algorithms at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

"We were kind of in the wilderness," Barto said in an interview with The Associated Press. "Which is why it's so gratifying to receive this award, to see this becoming more recognized as something relevant and interesting. In the early days, it was not."

Google sponsors the annual $1 million prize, which was announced Wednesday by the Association for Computing Machinery.

Barto, now retired from the University of Massachusetts, and Sutton, a longtime professor at Canada's University of Alberta, aren't the first AI pioneers to win the award named after British mathematician, codebreaker and early AI thinker Alan Turing. But their research has directly sought to answer Turing's 1947 call for a machine that "can learn from experience" -- which Sutton describes as "arguably the essential idea of reinforcement learning."

In particular, they borrowed from ideas in psychology and neuroscience about the way that pleasure-seeking neurons respond to rewards or punishment. In one landmark paper published in the early 1980s, Barto and Sutton set their new approach on a specific task in a simulated world: balance a pole on a moving cart to keep it from falling. The two computer scientists later co-authored a widely used textbook on reinforcement learning.

"The tools they developed remain a central pillar of the AI boom and have rendered major advances, attracted legions of young researchers, and driven billions of dollars in investments," said Google's chief scientist Jeff Dean in a written statement.

In a joint interview with the AP, Barto and Sutton didn't always agree on how to evaluate the risks of AI agents that are constantly seeking to improve themselves. They also distinguished their work from the branch of generative AI technology that is currently in fashion -- the large language models behind chatbots made by OpenAI, Google and other tech giants that mimic human writing and other media.

"The big choice is, do you try to learn from people's data, or do you try to learn from an (AI) agent's own life and its own experience?" Sutton said.

Sutton has dismissed what he describes as overblown concerns about AI's threat to humanity, while Barto disagreed and said "You have to be cognizant of potential unexpected consequences."

Barto, retired for 14 years, describes himself as a Luddite, while Sutton is embracing a future he expects to have beings of greater intelligence than current humans -- an idea sometimes known as posthumanism.

"People are machines. They're amazing, wonderful machines," but they are also not the "end product" and could work better, Sutton said.

"It's intrinsically a part of the AI enterprise," Sutton said. "We're trying to understand ourselves and, of course, to make things that can work even better. Maybe to become such things."

Continue Reading...

Popular

Warren Buffett's Top Stock Picks Now Come With a 15% Income Bonus Through This Fund

A new ETF is offering investors the chance to follow in the footsteps of one of the world's most successful investors and earn income at the same time.

Why Barrick Gold Stock Is Trading Lower

Barrick Gold Corp (NYSE:GOLD) shares are trading lower by 4.5% to $19.08 during Wednesday’s session.

Gold Is Breaking Records. This Stock Hasn't Moved Yet. - Ad

With gold over $3,200, one near-term producer is still trading like a developer. But the mill is running, crews are working underground, and first production is months away.

Jeff Sperbeck, former agent for John Elway, dies after injury at 62

LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) — Jeff Sperbeck, a business partner and former agent for NFL Hall of Famer John Elway, died Wednesday after suffering an injury last weekend at a Southern California golf resort community. He was 62.

Gold's Historic Surge Unlocking Value in These Mining Stocks

Surging gold prices have amplified the profitability of global gold mining companies. Here are some stocks to consider.

A New Gold Discovery in Red Lake? - Ad

Two new gold anomalies just lit up the maps. They sit right beside a restart-ready mine-and follow the exact fold pattern that's made Red Lake world famous.

Trump Says 'I Run The Country And The World,' Yet Polls Plummet

The Atlantic published an in-depth interview with President Donald Trump on Monday, marking the first 100 days of his second term in the White House. 

Bill Gates Says 'Luckily' His Daughter Phoebe Gates Never Asked Him To Back Her Business

Bill Gates is glad his daughter Phoebe never asked him to back her business, as it could have complicated their relationship.

Elon Musk Drops Stunning Bombshell? - Ad

Behind closed doors, Musk revealed a game-changing breakthrough technology that could shake the tech world & crush major companies. Why is no one talking about it? Luckily, we had a man on the inside - watch now to see the details & how to profit!

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Asks,'How Much Did Majorie Taylor Greene Make When She Bought The Dip?'

"Just how much did Marjorie Taylor Greene make when she bought the dip?" Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asks in the caption of a YouTube video calling for a ban on Congressional trading.

Trump's Autonomous Vehicles Stance, Bezos Vs. Tesla, And More: This Week In Mobility

Autonomous driving & EV have seen significant developments this week: Trump's change of heart, Bezos-backed startups, & Tesla's declining sales.

The Cross-Chain Giant Set for 1,000%+ Gains - Ad

This multi-chain protocol's volume is exploding while its price is still under the radar. Institutions are moving in fast-get our urgent report before retail wakes up.

Take Investment Advice From Shaq — His Fortune Grew Thanks To Charles Barkley and Donuts

Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal has seen a significant increase in his wealth, quadrupling his net worth through an investment strategy inspired by Amazon's CEO, Jeff Bezos.

Biggest Dividend Payout in U.S. History: $1 Trillion up for Grabs! - Ad

Trump just launched a $1 trillion National Investment Fund to replace income taxes and send direct payouts to Americans. You could claim up to $21,307--before the first public checks go out. This is historic. Act now to be first in line.

Odyssey Marine Exploration Stock Surges On Continued Momentum: What's Going On?

Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. (NASDAQ: OMEX) shares are trading higher Thursday, extending the momentum from a major intraday spike driven by reports of a forthcoming U.S. executive order favoring the deep-sea mining industry.

Buffett Dismisses Rumors Of Stockpiling Cash For Successor Greg Abel: 'I Wouldn't Do Anything Nearly So Noble Just So Greg Could Look Good'

Berkshire Hathaway chief Warren Buffett, has put to rest rumors that he is accumulating a substantial cash reserve for his successor, Greg Abel.Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A) chief Warren Buffett, has put to rest rumors that he is accumulating a substantial cash reserve for his success

Nvidia Is About to Shock the World: July 23rd - Ad

Jeff Brown, the tech legend who picked shares of Nvidia in 2016 before they jumped by more than 22,000%, is warning everyone to... Mark this date on your calendar: July 23rd! That's when Nvidia could help send shares of this Elon Musk supplier skyrocketing higher.

Apple's AI Team Undergoes Major Restructuring Amidst Performance Concerns

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) has embarked on a major overhaul of its artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning divisions, shifting elements to different departments within the organization.

Trump's Crypto Blueprint Unveils This Infrastructure Powerhouse - Ad

One blockchain token sits at the heart of Washington's pro-crypto agenda. Institutions are loading up while it still trades at a discount. Here's how to get in for $3.

A massive explosion and fire strikes Iranian port and injures at least 281 people

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The number of injured from an explosion Saturday at a port in southern Iran jumped to 281, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Forget Dogecoin And Shiba Inu — Crypto Analyst Sees This Coin Surging 100%

A crypto analyst has forecasted a 100% increase for Pepe (CRYPTO: PEPE), a mid-cap competitor to Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) and Shiba Inu (CRYPTO:

This Intercept Stopped the Gold Sector Cold - Ad

114.26 g/t over 10.6m. That's not a typo. And it wasn't deep exploration-it was in an active mining zone.

OpenAI reverses course and says its nonprofit will continue to control its business

After months spent pursuing a plan to convert itself into a for-profit business, OpenAI is reversing course and said Monday its nonprofit will continue to control the company that makes ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence products.

Applied Digital (APLD) Secures $150M Preferred Equity Deal: What's Going On?

Applied Digital shares are trading higher by 14% during Thursday's session. The company announced it had entered into a Preferred Equity Purchase Agreement with select investors.

The Most Important "AI Stock" You've Never Heard Of - Ad

The AI revolution is moving faster than anyone expected. But what no one is talking about is the one company AI simply can't exist without. It may be the single most important AI investment, yet most people don't even know its name. For now. The moment Wall Street catches on, this $20 stock could explode.

What's Going On With VeriSign Shares Friday?

VeriSign reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings on Thursday after the market closed.

Swiss leader says Trump administration foresees 'privileged' talks with 15 countries on US tariffs

GENEVA (AP) — The Swiss president says Switzerland is among 15 countries with which the United States plans to conduct “privileged” negotiations to help reach a deal in the wake of sweeping U.S. tariffs on dozens of countries that have shaken global markets.

World Economic Forum: "Arguably the Most Exciting Human Discovery Since Fire" - Ad

Sam Altman, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg are all investing vast sums of money into a radical technology. According to Bloomberg, this could become 10 times bigger than AI, quantum computing, electric vehicles, cryptocurrencies, and robotics combined. And one stock is at the center of it all.

World Liberty's Stablecoin In $2 Billion Deal, SoFi Reintroduces Crypto And Riot Platforms' Q1 Results: This Week In Crypto

The weekend was a whirlwind of activity in the financial world, with a particular focus on cryptocurrencies. From Peter Schiff’s surprising preference for Dogecoin over Bitcoin to Riot Platforms’ Q1 results, there was no shortage of intriguing developments. Let’s dive into the top stories. Peter Schiff Prefers Dogecoin Over Bitcoin

Rocket Lab Stock Is Shooting Higher Thursday: What's Fueling The Launch?

Rocket Lab USA Inc (NASDAQ:RKLB) shares are trading higher Thursday after the company announced it was selected by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:KTOS) to provide a hypersonic test flight for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

"Market Wizard " Thrives on Tariff Turmoil - Ad

Steel. Copper. Semiconductors. Another round of tariffs is rattling Wall Street, triggering panic selling. But history shows these policy moves don't just create losers - they create massive trading opportunities.

Book Review: Restauranteur Keith McNally opens up in candid memoir 'I Regret Almost Everything'

Keith McNally has been charming New York City diners since he opened his first restaurant, The Odeon, in 1980, helping transform a then-derelict TriBeCa into a hotspot for the “glitterati.”

Brace Yourself for Jeff Bezos' "Amazon Helios" - Ad

Amazon delivers 20 million packages a day... powers some of the most popular websites... delivers medication to half of the U.S. population... and even produces award-winning films and TV shows. But a Wall Street legend -- twice featured on 60 Minutes -- predicts that "Amazon Helios" will be bigger than all of those... COMBINED.

Treasury Sec Scott Bessent: US Should Be The 'Premier Destination For Digital Assets'

U.S. Treasury Sec. Bessent advocates for American leadership in digital assets and Congress progresses towards solid crypto market structure.

You Can Take a Stake in Elon's xAI Before June 1st... - Ad

Elon Musk's private AI firm xAI may have just leapfrogged ChatGPT and Google's Gemini--building what experts call the future of AI. For the first time, you can take a stake starting at $500.

CEOs Say Container Trade Growth Increasingly Tracks Global GDP, But Tariff Risks Loom

CEOs say that container trade growth is increasingly tracking global GDP, signaling a stable market, but tariff risks loom.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright finstrategist.com
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service