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Automating the Practice of Science -- Opportunities, Challenges, and Implications

Sebastian Musslick, Laura K. Bartlett, Suyog H. Chandramouli, Marina Dubova, Fernand Gobet, Thomas L. Griffiths, Jessica Hullman, Ross D. King, J. Nathan Kutz, Christopher G. Lucas, Suhas Mahesh, Franco Pestilli, Sabina J. Sloman, William R. Holmes

TL;DR

By discussing the motivations behind automated science, analyzing the hurdles encountered, and examining its implications, this article invites researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to navigate the rapidly evolving frontier of automated scientific practice.

Abstract

Automation transformed various aspects of our human civilization, revolutionizing industries and streamlining processes. In the domain of scientific inquiry, automated approaches emerged as powerful tools, holding promise for accelerating discovery, enhancing reproducibility, and overcoming the traditional impediments to scientific progress. This article evaluates the scope of automation within scientific practice and assesses recent approaches. Furthermore, it discusses different perspectives to the following questions: Where do the greatest opportunities lie for automation in scientific practice?; What are the current bottlenecks of automating scientific practice?; and What are significant ethical and practical consequences of automating scientific practice? By discussing the motivations behind automated science, analyzing the hurdles encountered, and examining its implications, this article invites researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to navigate the rapidly evolving frontier of automated scientific practice.

Automating the Practice of Science -- Opportunities, Challenges, and Implications

TL;DR

By discussing the motivations behind automated science, analyzing the hurdles encountered, and examining its implications, this article invites researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to navigate the rapidly evolving frontier of automated scientific practice.

Abstract

Automation transformed various aspects of our human civilization, revolutionizing industries and streamlining processes. In the domain of scientific inquiry, automated approaches emerged as powerful tools, holding promise for accelerating discovery, enhancing reproducibility, and overcoming the traditional impediments to scientific progress. This article evaluates the scope of automation within scientific practice and assesses recent approaches. Furthermore, it discusses different perspectives to the following questions: Where do the greatest opportunities lie for automation in scientific practice?; What are the current bottlenecks of automating scientific practice?; and What are significant ethical and practical consequences of automating scientific practice? By discussing the motivations behind automated science, analyzing the hurdles encountered, and examining its implications, this article invites researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to navigate the rapidly evolving frontier of automated scientific practice.
Paper Structure (30 sections, 2 figures)

This paper contains 30 sections, 2 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. What are the bounds of automating scientific practice?
  2. Automation in current scientific practice
  3. Future opportunities
  4. Future challenges
  5. Implications
  6. Conclusion
  7. Disclosures

Figures (2)

  • Figure 1: Factors determining the technological reach of automation in scientific practice.
  • Figure 2: Closed-loop automation systems. (A) Adam for functional genomics. (B) A-Lab for materials science. (C) AutoRA for behavioral science. Dashed boxes list knowledge and processes provided by human researchers.