ACM has awarded the Turing Award along with a million-dollar prize to Avi Wigderson for his significant contributions to the theory of computation, specifically emphasizing the importance of randomness in algorithms.
In general, algorithms we use in computing systems are deterministic, meaning the input data determines the outcome and computation time is constant. This predictability allows us to anticipate the behavior of algorithms. However, many algorithms rely on randomness to enhance efficiency, as certain problems are not efficiently solvable without it. In the realm of theory of computation, researchers strive to understand the significance of randomness, debating whether good randomness is necessary or if random elements can be discarded.
Wigderson’s research demonstrates the utilization of pseudo-random generators, which mimic randomness in various scenarios.
TLDR: Avi Wigderson receives the Turing Award for his work on the importance of randomness in algorithms and pseudo-random generators.
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