At CERN, AI will drive future discoveries (www.swissinfo.ch)

At CERN, artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize particle physics by enabling real-time analysis and decision-making of the 40 million particle collisions produced by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) every second. With plans underway for a new collider in the 2040s, physicists highlight AI's potential beyond mere data crunching; it will assist in designing the collider, selecting materials, and defining key scientific inquiries. This shift towards integrating advanced AI tools aims not only to enhance research capabilities but also to attract new talent to the field of particle physics. Historically, machine learning has played a pivotal role at CERN, exemplified by its contribution to the discovery of the Higgs Boson. The latest AI advancements, particularly through neural networks, allow for anomaly detection, which identifies unexpected events in data that could lead to groundbreaking discoveries. This approach may redefine how physicists conduct experiments, enabling them to explore questions beyond established theories and optimize detector designs. As CERN upgrades its facilities, the role of AI will become increasingly significant, promising improved efficiency and precision in data analysis while also reshaping the future landscape of particle physics research.