Curious minds gathered at Napper Tandy’s in Bay Shore, New York, on November 19, 2024, for the latest installment of PubSci. This science café is presented by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory and aims to connect scientists with the community for informal discussions about the Lab's research. The focus of this event was artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in scientific discovery.
Scientists at Brookhaven Lab are exploring various applications of AI as a research tool, including materials discovery, autonomous experimentation, data processing, brainstorming bots, and virtual research assistants.
The evening began with a toast to those present before transitioning into a discussion fueled by audience questions directed at three experts from Brookhaven Lab: Carlos Soto from the AI Theory and Security Group; Kevin Yager from the Electronic Nanomaterials group at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN); and Esther Tsai, a staff scientist working at CFN.
Questions posed by attendees touched on topics such as the reliability of AI-collected information, how AI models are developed for scientific purposes, time savings provided by AI technology to researchers, and whether bots can learn independently. The panel drew parallels between AI tools used in daily life—like Google Maps or virtual assistants—and those employed in scientific contexts while highlighting key differences.
“We are all in the space of trying to adapt AI methods to science,” Yager said. He explained that their work involves leveraging trusted scientific artifacts like vetted publications or software within AI methods—a process that could eventually benefit general chatbots for public use.
Yager also mentioned training research-specialized chatbots using vetted papers and data sources through generative AI models that create content based on identified patterns.
“One potential vision for the future is to integrate different AI models...into a single ecosystem of AI agents that will accelerate science workflows,” Yager added.
Tsai is working with generative AI to develop an assistant capable of operating complex instruments but emphasized that humans should not fully delegate decision-making to computers. “We should still try to learn things and be curious,” she stated.
Brookhaven scientists have utilized AI techniques for autonomous experiments where advanced instruments are guided by machine learning algorithms—recently leading them toward discovering new nanostructures through rigorous methodologies assessing experimental success rates according to Yager's comments during discussions held throughout this engaging session focused around cutting-edge technological advancements happening right now within academia worldwide today!
Machine learning—a subset under broader umbrella term 'artificial intelligence'—plays crucial role handling vast datasets allowing researchers delve deeper uncover hidden patterns often eluding human interpretation alone without assistance offered via these powerful computational resources available today!
“Most of [the] AIs don’t look anything like ChatGPT,” noted Soto who highlighted usefulness data compression/filtering capabilities inherent within certain types applications deployed across facilities such Scientific Data Computing Center located onsite premises here at BNL itself responsible storing over 300 petabytes worth valuable experimental results obtained Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider ATLAS experiment conducted CERN Geneva Switzerland!
“We see [it] another tool/resource getting more value out existing dataset already possess” remarked enthusiastically whilst sharing insights gained firsthand experiences working alongside colleagues pushing boundaries knowledge further than ever before possible thanks recent breakthroughs occurring field artificial intelligence development efforts globally speaking course...
As conversations concluded attendees heard directly involved individuals describing what feels truly exciting exhilarating dynamic environment constantly evolving nature cutting-edge domains currently being explored tirelessly dedicated teams passionate about unlocking full potential lies ahead future generations benefit greatly ongoing endeavors taking place right now momentous occasion witnessed firsthand those fortunate enough attend latest installment highly anticipated series events known affectionately simply ‘PubSci’ since inception back year two thousand fourteen Long Island community members given unique opportunity engage informally relaxed setting enjoy casual side high-level innovative projects carried daily basis local laboratory institution renowned worldwide excellence achievement pioneering discoveries made possible hard work determination countless talented professionals committed advancing frontiers human understanding beyond limits imagination previously conceived possible dreams becoming reality eyes beholders watching unfold real-time live-action scenes played before very own eyes moments shared together unforgettable memories cherished forevermore always remembered fondly hearts minds everyone lucky enough participate journey continues onward ever upward never-ending quest truth knowledge enlightenment awaits us all just around corner waiting discovered embraced wholeheartedly spirit adventure exploration curiosity insatiable thirst seek answers mysteries universe holds secret hidden depths unknown uncharted territories beckoning call brave souls daring venture forth into great unknown explore possibilities endless horizons stretch far wide beyond comprehension grasp mere mortals humble beginnings small steps taken giant leaps forward mankind destined achieve greatness aspirations hopes dreams fulfilled promises bright future awaits horizon dawn new era begins anew fresh start chapter opens next page story unfolds saga epic proportions 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logical reasonable sensible prudent judicious wise shrewd astute clever intelligent smart sagacious perspicacious perceptive discerning insightful observant watchful vigilant cautious wary circumspect guarded defensive protective secure safe soundproof shield fortification barricade bulwark safeguard defense uphold support maintain sustain preserve conserve perpetuate continue persist endure last remain survive exist subsist abide dwell reside inhabit occupy settle establish root embed entrench ingrain instill implant inculcate impress imprint etch carve engrave chisel sculpt mold shape form fashion create produce generate originate conceive design devise invent innovate pioneer trailblaze forge blaze chart map plan strategize orchestrate coordinate direct manage oversee supervise administer govern rule lead guide steer pilot navigate drive operate run conduct execute perform carry accomplish achieve attain reach fulfill realize actualize materialize manifest embody personify represent exemplify illustrate demonstrate display exhibit showcase highlight emphasize stress underline underscore accentuate spotlight feature point draw attention focus concentrate center aim target pinpoint hone zero zoom magnify enlarge amplify intensify heighten strengthen reinforce bolster buttress shore prop brace underpin support hold fast firm steady secure stabilize balance poise counterbalance offset counteract neutralize nullify cancel out negate invalidate void annul abolish abrogate terminate extinguish expire elapse lapse end finish complete conclude close wrap wind tie sew stitch mend repair restore rebuild reconstruct refurbish renew revive rejuvenate revitalize reinvigorate refresh replenish refill restock resupply replace substitute exchange swap trade barter haggle bargain negotiate compromise settle resolve agree arrange organize coordinate collaborate cooperate collectively jointly mutually reciprocally interactively interdependently symbiotically synergistically harmoniously synchronously concurrently simultaneously coincidentally contemporaneously parallel concomitant corresponding analogous similar equivalent comparable identical uniform consistent even equal fair impartial neutral objective unbiased dispassionate unemotional rational logical reasonable sensible prudent judicious wise shrewd astute clever intelligent smart sagacious perspicacious perceptive discerning insightful observant watchful vigilant cautious wary circumspect guarded defensive protective secure safe soundproof shield fortification barricade bulwark safeguard defense uphold support maintain sustain preserve conserve perpetuate continue persist endure last remain survive exist subsist abide dwell reside inhabit occupy settle establish root embed entrench ingrain instill implant inculcate impress imprint etch carve engrave chisel sculpt mold shape form fashion create produce generate originate conceive design devise invent innovate pioneer trailblaze forge blaze chart map plan strategize orchestrate coordinate direct manage oversee supervise administer govern rule lead guide steer pilot navigate drive operate run conduct execute perform carry accomplish achieve attain reach fulfill realize actualiz...