Have we entered a new age of AI-enabled scientific discovery? (www.sciencenews.org)

Recent advancements in AI are propelling a new era of scientific discovery, exemplified by the evolution from Adam, the first robot to conduct automated experiments, to more sophisticated AI systems now integral in research labs worldwide. Notably, the 2024 Nobel prizes in chemistry and physics were awarded to pioneers of AI tools, signaling a growing recognition of AI's role in scientific research. Though some experts remain skeptical, asserting that significant changes in scientific methodology are still in their infancy, researchers are increasingly utilizing AI as a collaborative partner in generating insights, from drug discovery to materials science. AI systems excel at analyzing vast datasets to uncover connections and generate hypotheses. However, there’s a clear divide between general-purpose models, like ChatGPT, and specialized tools that demonstrate nuanced understanding and capabilities, such as AlphaFold, which predicts protein structures. Recent endeavors combine both approaches, merging the exploratory power of AI agents with the precision of targeted systems, thereby enhancing research outcomes and mitigating the risk of producing unreliable content, often referred to as "junk science." The collaboration between human experts and AI is seen as a pivotal strategy to address the complexities of contemporary scientific challenges, with promising applications already emerging in healthcare and materials development.