Five years after AlphaFold 2 debuted, Google DeepMind’s protein-folding AI has moved from breakthrough to staple in biochemical research. Researchers including John Jumper and Demis Hassabis have turned protein-structure prediction into an almost routine capability taught in graduate programs; the technology is accelerating drug discovery, environmental applications and basic biology. The piece highlights AlphaFold’s adoption in labs worldwide and notes the 2024 Nobel Prize recognition for Jumper and Hassabis, framing the tool as an example of AI delivering a clear scientific payoff.