Can Artificial Intelligence Accelerate Technological Progress? Researchers' Perspectives on AI in Manufacturing and Materials Science
Researchers interviewed manufacturing and materials science experts found AI is primarily used for modeling materials and processes, speeding up design space searches and saving time, cost, and computation. While useful for existing data interpolation, AI lacks the ability to develop new scientific theory. The study suggests AI/ML supports sustaining innovation within current methods but requires conventional research to drive major breakthroughs.