The Breakthrough Prizes, known as the ‘Oscars of Science’, honoured top researchers with $3 million awards at a star-studded ceremony in California
SANTA MONICA: Hollywood stars and Silicon Valley titans gathered to celebrate the world’s leading scientists at the Breakthrough Prizes. The event, often dubbed the ‘Oscars of Science’, saw six researchers each receive a $3 million award for groundbreaking work.
Actor Edward Norton told AFP it was vital to highlight the contributions of scientists. He described the honourees as “some of the most heroic and inspiring people we get in the world.”
Norton also criticised the current political climate for science funding in the United States. “The United States has the most anti-science administration in US history,” the actor stated.
The awards recognise achievements in Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics and Mathematics. The prize foundation was co-founded by prominent tech philanthropists including Sergey Brin, Mark Zuckerberg, and Anne Wojcicki.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted the accelerating role of artificial intelligence in scientific discovery. He said AI collaboration with scientists “is moving things faster and faster, and letting them discover new things.”
Altman acknowledged the societal challenges posed by rapid technological change. “Change this fast is really disorienting,” he told AFP.
French mathematician Frank Merle was honoured for his work on nonlinear equations. He told AFP that the prize funding is “essential” for scientific progress.
“Science is one of the foundations of our civilization,” Merle said.
The ceremony attracted a glittering array of celebrities from film, technology and sports. Attendees included Ben Affleck, Robert Downey Jr., Bill Gates, and rock climber Alex Honnold.
Honnold expressed hope that political fluctuations would be short-term compared to the long-term effort of science. The event marked the 12th edition of the prestigious awards.
