AI to Transform Fundamental Physics and Could Reveal the Universe’s Ultimate Fate
AI is set to transform fundamental physics, offering a glimpse into the ultimate fate of the universe, according to Mark Thomson, who will become the next director general of CERN in 2026. He asserts that machine learning is unlocking breakthroughs in particle physics that could rival the Nobel-winning achievements of Google DeepMind in protein structure prediction.
At CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC), AI-driven techniques are already detecting rare events that could explain how particles gained mass after the Big Bang, and even reveal whether the universe is on the brink of collapse. Thomson emphasizes that these are not just minor improvements but substantial leaps enabled by advanced AI methods.
CERN is also pushing for the construction of the Future Circular Collider, a $17bn project that would surpass the LHC in size, though some are skeptical given the LHC's modest post-Higgs boson discoveries. Nevertheless, Thomson believes AI could significantly boost the hunt for new physics, with significant breakthroughs expected post-2030 when the LHC’s beam intensity will be upgraded tenfold. This upgrade could enable unprecedented studies of the Higgs boson, revealing insights into its role in mass generation.
Thomson explains that measuring Higgs self-coupling—how the Higgs boson gives mass to itself—could transform our understanding of the universe’s origins and its potential future. This phenomenon is so rare that Thomson once thought the LHC wouldn’t be capable of detecting it. However, he now expects it to be measurable.
AI is also enhancing the LHC’s operations, from selecting interesting data to improving our understanding of dark matter. AI allows researchers to ask more complex, open-ended questions, potentially leading to unexpected discoveries. Scientists are using generative AI to probe data for signs of dark matter, a substance that remains largely mysterious. AI’s growing influence promises to push the boundaries of particle physics into new, transformative territory.
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