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 repro-
ducibility, 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 examin-
ing its implications, this article invites researchers, policymakers, and
stakeholders to navigate the rapidly evolving frontier of automated
scientific practice.
revolutionizing industries and streamlining processes. In the domain
of scientific inquiry, automated approaches emerged as powerful
tools, holding promise for accelerating discovery, enhancing repro-
ducibility, 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 examin-
ing its implications, this article invites researchers, policymakers, and
stakeholders to navigate the rapidly evolving frontier of automated
scientific practice.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | PNAS: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 27 Sept 2024 |