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Huge randomized trial of AI boosts discovery — at least for good scientists

Dec 09, 2024 - nature.com
A study led by Aidan Toner-Rodgers at MIT examined the impact of a machine-learning tool on material discovery in a corporate laboratory. The tool, which combines graph neural networks and reinforcement learning, was used by randomly assigned teams to design new inorganic materials. These teams discovered 44% more new materials and filed 39% more patent applications compared to those using standard workflows. However, the benefits were uneven, with top-performing researchers leveraging the AI tool more effectively than others. The AI-designed materials were found to be more novel than those created by humans, suggesting the tool's potential to innovate beyond existing knowledge.

Despite these promising results, the study's limited disclosure and the company's secrecy hinder a comprehensive evaluation of the AI's effectiveness. The lack of detailed performance metrics for the new materials raises questions about their practical advantages. Additionally, researchers using AI reported decreased job satisfaction, as the tool reduced their involvement in creative processes. Nonetheless, the study highlights AI's potential in accelerating material discovery, although its long-term success remains uncertain due to the typically lengthy development and production timelines for new materials.

Key takeaways:

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  • AI tools in research can significantly increase the discovery of new materials and patent applications, as shown by a study where AI-assisted teams outperformed those using standard workflows.
  • The effectiveness of AI tools varies among researchers, with top performers benefiting the most by leveraging their domain knowledge to prioritize promising AI suggestions.
  • AI-designed materials were found to be more novel compared to human-designed ones, indicating that AI can generate innovative solutions rather than just replicating existing knowledge.
  • Researchers using AI tools reported less job satisfaction due to the reduction of creative tasks, as the AI tool primarily suggested materials, leaving scientists to evaluate these suggestions.
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