On September 24, a remarkable team of psychologists, among several other distinguished recipients, received the prestigious Golden Goose Award (GGA) at the Library of Congress. The event celebrates scientists whose federally funded work may have been considered silly, odd or obscure when first conducted, but has resulted in significant benefits to society.
Among the honorees were Dr. James L. McClelland of Stanford University (former FABBS President and Council Representative for the Cognitive Science Society), Dr. Geoffrey Hinton from the University of Toronto, and the late Dr. David E. Rumelhart. Together, they developed a framework to explain human cognition that led to an explosion of technology advancements and a whole new economic sector.
Their journey is beautifully encapsulated in the video “How We Think: Brain-Inspired Models of Human Cognition Contribute to the Foundations of Today’s Artificial Intelligence.” Funded by the Department of Defense, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Directorate at the National Science Foundation, their research exemplifies how innovative ideas can transform our world.
Members of Congress: Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) Senator Todd Young (R-IN) made inspiring opening remarks. Attendees also heard from Dr. Arati Prabhakar, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, Director of the NIH, who highlighted the remarkable returns on federal investment in fundamental research.
Learn more about the Golden Goose Award and watch the ceremony.
