NVIDIA's founder and CEO Jensen Huang and chief scientist Bill Dally have received the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, a top international award, for their groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Their efforts have helped build the computer hardware that powers many of today's advanced AI systems.
They, along with five other experts, were recognized in the United Kingdom for developing graphics processing units, or GPUs, which are essential for running complex AI programs quickly and efficiently. These inventions have transformed how computers work, making it possible to train large AI models and drive progress in science, technology, and everyday applications.
King Charles III presented the prize at St James’s Palace in London, highlighting the impact Huang and Dally have had on the global tech industry. Their achievements have sparked a new era of computing, with AI now considered as important to modern life as electricity or the internet.
In his acceptance, Huang said it was a great honor to stand alongside pioneers whose ideas have changed the world. He compared today’s advances in AI to earlier breakthroughs like the internet and GPS, which have made a lasting mark on society.
Bill Dally emphasized that today’s powerful AI systems are built on decades of progress in computer engineering. He said that constant work on improving both hardware and software allows AI to keep helping people in new and exciting ways.
Beyond the awards ceremony, Huang and Dally joined UK government and industry leaders at an event for National Engineering Day. They talked about the future of engineering and the importance of inspiring the next generation of innovators. NVIDIA is working with UK organizations to expand access to advanced AI tools and education.
Jensen Huang also received the Professor Stephen Hawking Fellowship at the Cambridge Union. This special honor celebrates people who help make science and technology more understandable and accessible to everyone. Lucy Hawking, daughter of Stephen Hawking, presented the fellowship. Huang spoke about the importance of curiosity and optimism in discovery, noting that Professor Hawking showed the world that there are no limits to what we can achieve.
These honors highlight how leaders like Huang and Dally have not only advanced technology but have also helped open new possibilities for researchers, engineers, and everyday people.
Original article and image: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/nvidia-founder-and-ceo-jensen-huang-and-chief-scientist-bill-dally-awarded-prestigious-queen-elizabeth-prize-for-engineering/
