Part 5/11:
The concept of AI as an autonomous scientist has gained traction, especially among entrepreneurs and researchers aiming to push the boundaries of scientific discovery. Liam Fedus, previously of OpenAI, left the organization to co-found a startup focused on developing an AI that can serve as an active researcher. Their debut target? Quantum mechanics, specifically lab tests at the quantum energy scale, which underpins chemistry, materials science, and biological processes.
Ekin Cubuk, a partner in this venture, underscores the rationale: modern LLMs have become proficient in logic and mathematics, positioning physics—particularly the quantum domain—as the "next frontier" for AI-driven inquiry. They have secured an astonishing $300 million in funding to pursue this ambitious goal.