Hey all - I already posted this in the Math/Physics forum, but maybe it''s better brought here. I''ve been reading alot of information on the Standard Model, string theory, special & general relativity, etc. and I think it sucks that we don''t have 1(one) set of rules and descriptions for how everything works. I''ve been thinking about this problem and would like to know if anybody thinks that artificial intelligence could play a pivotal role in discovering the secrets of universal physics? Do you think it''s possible to program an intelligence to analytically combine and/or infer new theories as to how things work?

It seems to me that the problem with theoretical physics is not really the math, but the proof. It is very difficult to verify a theory, because you have to come up with some kind of experiment that other theories fail on and yours does not. I guess you could build a manipulation system so that it could figure out where two theories contradict eachother and then you might be able perform a test that measures that.

IIRC, that is the exact problem with string theory - there really isn''t any way to show it is correct or incorrect.

Are ther some U rules?
(Aside Uri...)

First I thing that even if you talk about AI it should be in M/F forum, thought they could view it otherwise. (wise man view is wise, others view is otherwise) No connection here it just flashed before my eyelets.

Would you realy think that theorethical phisic would leave his post in favor of AI voluntary? Especialy if he''d know it will be one way ticket?

From my experience in amateur astronomy I know it''s not always about combining as rather about ability to walk throught unusual path. Majority of them wouldn''t risk it in phear of being striped of income and academic renomee.


Raghar

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Original post by Extrarius
It seems to me that the problem with theoretical physics is not really the math, but the proof. It is very difficult to verify a theory, because you have to come up with some kind of experiment that other theories fail on and yours does not. I guess you could build a manipulation system so that it could figure out where two theories contradict eachother and then you might be able perform a test that measures that.

IIRC, that is the exact problem with string theory - there really isn''t any way to show it is correct or incorrect.

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I agree, and the proof is what I''m looking to ''artificially'' attain. It''s just really disheartening when it takes over 200,000 computers 2(two) years to proclaim that 2^20,996,011-1 is the largest prime number ever found.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994438

Which, joyous as the occasion is, doesn''t do anything for the advancement of science.