Yuanhao Gong, a research scientist at Google AI, has been awarded the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the ‘genius grant,’ is awarded annually to individuals who show exceptional creativity, originality, and potential to make significant contributions to their fields. Gong’s research focuses on developing new methods for machines to learn from data and make decisions, with a particular emphasis on deep learning and reinforcement learning. His work has led to several major advances in the field, including the development of new algorithms for training deep neural networks and the application of reinforcement learning to complex real-world problems. In recent years, Gong has also been actively involved in efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the AI community. He is a co-founder of the AI for Good Global Summit, which brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss the use of AI for social good. He is also a strong advocate for increasing the representation of women and underrepresented minorities in AI research. Gong’s work has had a major impact on the field of AI, and his MacArthur Fellowship is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. The MacArthur Fellowship will provide Gong with a no-strings-attached grant of $625,000 over five years, which he can use to support his research and other creative endeavors. Gong is one of 25 individuals who received the MacArthur Fellowship in 2023. The other recipients include scientists, artists, writers, and activists from a wide range of fields..