Greek Cypriot scientist Demis Hassabis has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside his American colleagues David Baker and John Jumper.
The trio was recognized for their pioneering work in decoding protein structures, a breakthrough that has significantly advanced drug development.
Mr. Hassabis, 48, is the CEO and co-founder of Google DeepMind, an AI research company.
Along with Jumper, 39, Mr. Hassabis utilized artificial intelligence to predict the structures of nearly all known proteins.
Their research has revolutionized the field of biology.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences also honored David Baker for his contributions to computational protein design.
Born to a Greek Cypriot father from Famagusta and a Singaporean mother, Hassabis grew up in North London.
He expressed his amazement at receiving the prestigious award, thanking his team and collaborators, including DeepMind, Google, and Jumper.
He emphasized the growing significance of artificial intelligence in scientific advancements, while also cautioning about its potential misuse.
Mr. Hassabis has a diverse background, excelling in fields such as neuroscience, video game design, and competitive chess. He has long been driven by the ambition to create machines capable of independent thought to address global challenges.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry, valued at 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million), is one of the highest honors in the scientific world.