Grace Hopper Celebrated in Hidden Heroes Series

Updated Jul 7, 2023 • 5 min read

Grace Hopper, a trailblazing computer scientist and US Navy rear admiral who played a pivotal role in advancing computer programming languages and artificial intelligence, is the latest innovator to be recognized in the Hidden Heroes series.

You can read the full story on hiddenheroes.netguru.com

Netguru is proud to announce that the late Grace Hopper is the next feature in their esteemed Hidden Heroes series. This initiative aims to shed light on unsung heroes who have made substantial contributions to technology and innovation, yet may not have received the recognition they deserve.

Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist and United States Navy rear admiral, was instrumental in the development of computer programming languages, and laid the foundation for the evolution of artificial intelligence. Her story - written by a popular author and TV host Steven Johnson - has just been released, highlighting her groundbreaking work and impact on the tech world.

The mix of natural language and advanced computing seems like a recent advance, but it has roots that go back to the birth of the digital age—and one of its most inspiring figures: Grace Hopper. Such a treat to profile her for #hiddenheroes with @netguru https://t.co/rvUQw7tWs2
— Steven Johnson (@stevenbjohnson) April 20, 2023

Hopper's extraordinary achievements include the creation of one of the first compilers, which translated high-level programming languages into machine code. This innovation allowed programmers to write more complex and sophisticated code, ultimately paving the way for the development of generative AI models like GPT-4.

Listen to this story on the Hidden Heroes podcast:

In addition to her contributions to AI, Hopper is credited with coining the term "debugging" and was an integral part of the team that developed COBOL, one of the first high-level programming languages. Her visionary work has had a lasting impact on the field of computer science and technology.

The latest Hidden Heroes story delves into Grace Hopper's life, exploring her path from a mathematician and a trailblazer in the United States Navy to becoming a world-renowned computer scientist. The story also emphasizes the importance of Hopper's legacy in inspiring generations of women to pursue careers in STEM fields.

"Grace Hopper's contributions to the development of AI and computer programming languages have been truly transformative. We are honored to share her story through the Hidden Heroes series, inspiring future generations to follow in her footsteps," said Nat Chrzanowska, Director and Editor in Chief behind the series.

Netguru's Hidden Heroes initiative has previously featured stories of remarkable individuals such as Pattie Maes, Radia Perlman, Lou Montulli, Phil Zimmermann, Douglas Engelbart, Gladys West, Nasir Ahmed, Ken Kocienda, Jeff Han or Sam Hurst. The addition of Grace Hopper's story will further emphasize Netguru's commitment to recognizing and celebrating the trailblazers who have shaped the world of technology.

For more information about the Hidden Heroes initiative and to read the upcoming feature on Grace Hopper, please visit hiddenheroes.netguru.com.