Artificial intelligence is playing a rapidly growing role in scientific research – from medical to particle physics – and was recognized with the award of the 2024 Nobel Prize for Physics. This collection also explores how this new technology is being used in society, and ponders the ethical questions that surround it.
Why AI is a force for good in science communication
Claire Malone looks at the ups and downs of using AI to communicate science
AI and the future of physics
How artificial intelligence is accelerating discoveries – and raising profound questions – about the future of physics
Applications of AI
AI and us
Fighting algorithmic bias in artificial intelligence
Julianna Photopoulos explores the issues of racial and gender bias in AI – and what physicists can do to recognize and tackle the problem
Artificial stupidity
Margaret Harris reviews You Look Like a Thing and I Love You by Janelle Shane
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More applications of AI
Medical marvels: how AI is boosting healthcare
Irina Grigorescu, a medical physicist at King’s College London, explains how artificial intelligence can transform medical physics
Read article: Medical marvels: how AI is boosting healthcare
AI and particle physics: a powerful partnership
Jessica Esquivel explores the beneficial collaboration between artificial intelligence and particle physics that is advancing both fields
Read article: AI and particle physics: a powerful partnership
Artificial intelligence: developing useful tools that scientists can trust
Computer scientist Rick Stevens is our podcast guest
Read article: Artificial intelligence: developing useful tools that scientists can trust
Neural networks extract information from sparse datasets
An algorithm developed by Cambridge physicist Gareth Conduit and inspired by many-body quantum mechanics is the driving force behind a novel materials-science spin-out
Read article: Neural networks extract information from sparse datasets
Machine learning collaborations accelerate materials discovery
Combining forces with other numerical approaches, as well as collaborating with other research groups across the world, adds strength to data-driven techniques for materials science
Read article: Machine learning collaborations accelerate materials discovery
Emmanuel Sabonnadière describes technology trends within optoelectronics
The CEO of CEA-Leti speaks with Physics World at Photonics West 2020
Read article: Emmanuel Sabonnadière describes technology trends within optoelectronics
AI in everyday life
Physics World podcast
Explore our two regular podcast series! Physics World Weekly looks at the latest events and headlines in physics, as well as featuring short interviews with scientists and our team of journalists. Physics World Stories takes a more in-depth look at a topic.
Research updates from AI and machine learning
Artificial intelligence reveals how light flows around nanoparticles
New technique could be used to design a wide range of optical devices
Read article: Artificial intelligence reveals how light flows around nanoparticles
Artificial intelligence spots unusual feature at Earth’s core-mantle boundary
Astrophysics algorithm is applied to seismic waves
Read article: Artificial intelligence spots unusual feature at Earth’s core-mantle boundary
Machine learning spots topological phase transitions in experimental data
Diffusion-maps method needs no prior knowledge about a physical system
Read article: Machine learning spots topological phase transitions in experimental data
Opening the AI box: can deep learning predict cancer recurrence?
Artificial intelligence-derived image features predict prostate cancer recurrence with high accuracy
Read article: Opening the AI box: can deep learning predict cancer recurrence?
Machine learning teases out differences in high-pressure ice phases
Findings will be important for planetary science as well as condensed-matter physics
Read article: Machine learning teases out differences in high-pressure ice phases
Artificial intelligence versus 101 radiologists
An AI system used to detect breast cancer in mammograms achieved a comparable performance to 101 radiologists
Read article: Artificial intelligence versus 101 radiologists
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