Researchers at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), want to see if AI could come up with designs to improve the capabilities of the machine. They gave it specifics of all the different machine components and parts that could be combined and changed. They then gave it unrestrained ability to be creative in its work. Basically “Design our new system. Be creative. The only goal is for this to function better.” At first the researchers were confused by its output - it seemed nonsensical. Yet, after working through its output, they realized that the AI was taking their current work and combining it with obscure theoretical ideas from Soviet scientists in the mid-20th century. The output, impossible for a single person with standard specialized education to produce, worked. The AI’s design improved output by 10-15%, which when dealing with such fine margins, is an incredible amount.
Connections
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)
References
� AI Comes Up with Bizarre Physics Experiments. But They Work. Quanta Magazine