Jacob Ziv’s work has enabled the compression of all kinds of information, so it occupies less space and can be transmitted at ever greater speeds. Ziv developed an algorithm (a set of instructions for accomplishing a given task), known as LZ, with the power to identify the most frequent redundancies in the language. Hence, for instance, the algorithm could convert a three-letter word like “and”, occurring in every text, into a single unit, saving storage space without any loss of meaningful information.

This principle is what has enabled the creation of hugely popular compression standards such as mp3 (for sound), gif or png (image) or pdf (text). Also, Ziv’s ideas have been instrumental in improving the capacity of hard drives and optimizing fax retransmission.

Aside from this algorithm, Ziv has authored numerous works of Information Theory addressing aspects of “lossy” compression. These have proved of major influence in video compression as well as finding applications in DVD and high-definition television technologies.

“This award recognizes the fundamental role of his work in creating technologies that widely and deeply impact the information age”

TUITEAR

On receiving the news, Jacob Ziv declared himself “deeply honored” by the award. “I am especially delighted” he went on “that, in the midst of a world economic crisis, the foundation of a financial institution like BBVA has opted to uphold the importance of the scientific spirit.”

Jacob Ziv considers himself “fortunate” to form part of a “relatively new branch of science, Information Theory, which has laid the foundations for modern communication technologies”.

Inventions for day-to-day living

The jury deciding the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards in the Information and Communication Technologies category cited the following merits in its award certificate: “Jacob Ziv’s ground-breaking innovations in data compression have had a deep and lasting impact on both the theory and practice of communications and information technology.”

It also reserved mention for the applied side of his activities: “Ubiquitous in everyday life, Ziv’s contributions enable efficient storage and transmission of text, data, images, and video. Computer memories, modems, software distribution, and file compression techniques all rely on Ziv’s ideas and inventions. His seminal contributions to information theory have inspired generations of researchers and practitioners alike.”

Chairing the jury was Andrea Goldsmith, Professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University and president of the Information Theory Society of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), which has about 3000 members worldwide. Other members were Ronald Ho, a Distinguished Engineer with the VLSI Research Group of IT company Sun Microsystems; Oussama Khatib, a leading specialist in robotics working at the Artificial intelligence Laboratory of Stanford University; Nico De Rooij, Head of Laboratory in the Institute of Microtechnology, University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland); and Spaniards Ramón López de Mántaras, director of the Artificial Intelligence Research Unit (CSIC) and Sergio Verdú, Professor of Electronic Engineering at Princeton University (United States).