Automating the practice of science: opportunities, challenges, and implications

Musslick, Sebastian, Bartlett, Laura K. ORCID: 0000-0001-5202-4504, Chandramouli, Suyog H., Dubova, Marina, Gobet, Fernand ORCID: 0000-0002-9317-6886, Griffiths, Thomas L., Hullman, Jessica, King, Ross D., Kutz, J. Nathan, Lucas, Christopher G., Mahesh, Suhas, Pestilli, Franco, Sloman, Sabina J. and Holmes, William R. (2025) Automating the practice of science: opportunities, challenges, and implications. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 122 (5). ISSN 0027-8424

Text - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB)

• Scopus publication

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.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2025 the Author(s)
Divisions:	CPNSS
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General)
Date Deposited:	30 Jan 2025 10:39
Last Modified:	14 Apr 2025 18:51
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/127133

Actions (login required)

View Item