AI's impact on knowledge production and scientific research

Experts and academics are debating the evolving role of artificial intelligence in knowledge production and scientific research. One perspective argues that AI serves as a generative force in the knowledge chain, though some scholars maintain that true knowledge requires human understanding and verification to move beyond mere information.

It is argued that AI provides “raw” information rather than “cooked” knowledge, as it lacks the subjective agency to engage in the discovery of entirely new, unknown domains. While AI can reorganize and present existing human knowledge, it cannot replace the human role of assigning meaning, verifying truth, or fulfilling the social and scientific responsibilities inherent in knowledge creation.

Meanwhile, E Weinan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, suggests that AI will democratize scientific research by lowering entry barriers. He predicts that through open laboratories and cloud services, individuals and small teams will become major contributors to technological innovation. E Weinan also noted that AI could enable China to achieve breakthroughs in high-end industrial software, potentially surpassing existing global standards within a few years.