Artificial intelligence and illusions of understanding in scientific research

• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07146-0
• Lisa Messeri & M. J. Crockett

Visions for Usage of AI in Science:

• AI as oracle
• as surrogate
• as Quant
• Arbiter

illusions of

• explanatory depth: although we actually understand very little, the high “accuracy” of the AI models can create an illusion of deep understanding.
• exploratory breath: we may be limited by the hypotheses testable with AI
• objectivity: AI tools have standpoints but this may not be obvious.

AI can create scientific monoculture.