RCIScience Announces Professor Geoffrey Hinton as latest Sandford Fleming Medal Recipient

2025 Fleming Medal recipient Professor Geoffrey Hinton

The Royal Canadian Institute for Science is proud to announce that Nobel Laureate Professor Geoffrey Hinton, widely regarded as the “Godfather of Artificial Intelligence,” has been named the recipient of the 2025 Sandford Fleming Medal, Canada’s most prestigious award recognizing excellence in science communication.

Awarded annually since 1982, the Sandford Fleming Medal honours a Canadian who has made outstanding contributions to the public understanding of science. Professor Hinton joins an extraordinary lineage of past recipients, including Ursula Franklin, David Suzuki, Chris Hadfield, Molly Shoichet, Joe Schwarcz, Bob McDonald, and Timothy Caulfield.

The Awards Committee unanimously recognized Professor Hinton for his profound impact on artificial intelligence research and for his principled, courageous leadership in engaging the public on the societal implications of emerging technologies. His ability to translate complex ideas, and to speak candidly about both promise and risk, has shaped public discourse in Canada and around the world at a pivotal moment.

“Thanks both to his natural temperament, and to his many years of concerted, mindful effort, he is an exceptionally skilled, dedicated, and influential communicator of science,” wrote science journalist and nominator Patchen Brass. “He is driven by a powerful sense of duty and morality, and an absolute loyalty to scientific integrity and public engagement.”

RCIScience noted that Professor Hinton’s willingness to speak publicly about AI safety, ethics, and governance exemplifies the spirit of the Fleming Medal, celebrating not only scientific achievement, but responsibility to society.

“For 175 years, RCIScience has worked toward a vision of an informed public that embraces science to build a stronger Canada,” said Carrie Boyce, Executive Director of RCIScience. “Professor Hinton’s leadership in public engagement, critical thinking, and AI literacy could not be more timely.”

Professor Hinton will formally receive the 2025 Sandford Fleming Medal at a public presentation and conversation hosted by RCIScience on March 10, 2026, in Toronto. The event, The Godfather of AI: In Conversation with Professor Geoffrey Hinton, is expected to draw leaders from science, technology, policy, media, and philanthropy.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available – contact information@rciscience.ca for more details.