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Consistent with the general trend of incorporating artificial intelligence into nearly every field, researchers and politicians are increasingly using AI models trained on scientific data to infer answers to scientific questions. But can AI ultimately replace scientists? The Trump administration signed an executive order on November 24, 2025, that announced the Genesis Mission, an initiative to build and train a series of AI agents on federal scientific datasets to test new hypotheses, automate research workflows, and accelerate scientific breakthroughs. So far, the accomplishments of these so-called AI scientists have been mixed. On the one hand, AI systems can process vast datasets and detect subtle correlations that humans are unable to detect. On the other hand, their lack of commonsense reasoning can result in unrealistic or irrelevant experimental recommendations. While AI can assist in tasks that are part of the scientific process, it is still far away from automating scienceand may never be able to. As a philosopher who studies both the history and the conceptual foundations of science, I see several problems with the idea that AI systems can do science without or even better than humans. AI models can learn only from human scientists AI models do not learn directly from the real world: They have to be told what the world is like by their human designers. Without human scientists overseeing the construction of the digital world in which the model operatesthat is, the datasets used for training and testing its algorithmsthe breakthroughs that AI facilitates wouldnt be possible. Consider the AI model AlphaFold. Its developers were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in chemistry for the models ability to infer the structure of proteins in human cells. Because so many biological functions depend on proteins, the ability to quickly generate protein structures to test via simulations has the potential to accelerate drug design, trace how diseases develop and advance other areas of biomedical research. As practical as it may be, however, an AI system like AlphaFold does not provide new knowledge about proteins, diseases, or more effective drugs on its own. It simply makes it possible to analyze existing information more efficiently. AlphaFold draws upon vast databases of existing protein structures. As philosopher Emily Sullivan put it, to be successful as scientific tools, AI models must retain a strong empirical link to already established knowledge. That is, the predictions a model makes must be grounded in what researchers already know about the natural world. The strength of this link depends on how much knowledge is already available about a certain subject and on how well the models programmers translate highly technical scientific concepts and logical principles into code. AlphaFold would not have been successful if it werent for the existing body of human-generated knowledge about protein structures that developers used to train the model. And without human scientists to provide a foundation of theoretical and methodological knowledge, nothing AlphaFold creates would amount to scientific progress. Science is a uniquely human enterprise But the role of human scientists in the process of scientific discovery and experimentation goes beyond ensuring that AI models are properly designed and anchored to existing scientific knowledge. In a sense, science as a creative achievement derives its legitimacy from human abilities, values, and ways of living. These, in turn, are grounded in the unique ways in which humans think, feel and act. Scientific discoveries are more than just theories supported by evidence: They are the product of generations of scientists with a variety of interests and perspectives, working together through a common commitment to their craft and intellectual honesty. Scientific discoveries are never the products of a single visionary genius. For example, when researchers first proposed the double-helix structure of DNA, there were no empirical tests able to verify this hypothesisit was based on the reasoning skills of highly trained experts. It took nearly a century of technological advancements and several generations of scientists to go from what looked like pure speculation in the late 1800s to a discovery honored by a 1953 Nobel Prize. Science, in other words, is a distinctly social enterprise, in which ideas get discussed, interpretations are offered, and disagreements are not always overcome. As other philosophers of science have remarked, scientists are more similar to a tribe than passive recipients of scientific information. Researchers do not accumulate scientific knowledge by recording factsthey create scientific knowledge through skilled practice, debate and agreed-upon standards informed by social and political values. AI is not a scientist I believe the computing power of AI systems can be used to accelerate scientific progress, but only if done with care. With the active participation of the scientific community, ambitious projects like the Genesis Mission could prove beneficial for scientists. Well-designed and rigorously trained AI tools would make the more mechanical parts of scientific inquiry smoother and maybe even faster. These tools would compile information about what has been done in the past so that it can more easily inform how to design future experiments, collect measurements and formulate theories. But if the guiding vision for deploying AI models in science is to replace human scientists or to fully automate the scientific process, I believe the project would only turn science into a caricature of itself. The very existence of science as a source of authoritative knowledge about the natural world fundaentally depends on human life: shared goals, experiences, and aspirations. Alessandra Buccella is an assistant professor of philosophy at the University at Albany, State University of New York. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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We hear a lot about self-discipline in todays productivity-obsessed culture. And the message is usually that its the cure for economic insecurity and a pathway to self-actualization. At first glance, this appears to make sense. But it can be a double-edged sword in our modern work lives and always-on culture. Self-discipline enables focus and is key to achievement. However, over-indexing on it can easily erode our own values and boundaries. In turn, this can cause burnout, isolation, and existential despair. What does discipline really mean? Discipline has historically been associated with punishment and religious correction. Think physical punishment, including self-flagellation. I grew up at a time when well-meaning parents dispensed discipline, thinking thats what it would take to raise virtuous children. The payoff that came with being praised for hard work at school and excelling in sports meant discipline became a core aspect of my early self-identity. Contemporary examples of personal discipline tap into the human capacity to regulate impulses and persist toward long-term goals. We see many influencers create vast content parading their self-discipline, whether thats adhering to a complex, three-hour morning routine, or proselytizing an extremely restrictive diet. As a result, self-discipline has taken on a moralistic, “holier-than-thou” tone, with the inference being that doing anything less means you are weak, lazy, and unworthy. The overt benefits of discipline at work Amid extreme uncertainty, self-discipline can serve as a powerful protective asset. Longitudinal research on self-control shows that those who can delay gratification and regulate impulses tend to achieve better educational outcomes, higher income, and improved health indicators. Another research paper suggests that self-discipline can reduce procrastination by boosting autonomous motivation rather than relying on willpower. When people experience their discipline as self-chosen and values-aligned, they report greater feelings of competence and autonomy. In the current work landscape, disciplined routines can help us create a sense of control and continuity amid relentless structural volatility. When discipline becomes addictive and isolating However, the same traits that fuel achievement can become compulsive and harmful. Eventually, excessive discipline can lead to ego depletion, where subsequent acts of self-control become harder and more draining. In cultures that moralize productivity, this depletion can be misconstrued as personal failure. As a result, many end up doubling down on discipline rather than questioning the demands theyve been subjected to. This was my experience as a corporate finance lawyer. At first, the self-discipline Id learned early in life translated perfectly into the “magic circle” law firm culture. Eventually, the constant, intense workload wore me down. Finally, I collapsed at an airport in a state of exhaustion and emotional despair. As uncomfortable as this was, it also gave rise to deep relief: I no longer had to punish myself. Discipline can become addictive when it produces rewards, but eventually, discipline can become an identity in itself. You might start holding beliefs like having needs is weak, I need to override my bodily urge to rest, or if I falter, I am a failure. This can lead to anxiety around rest, spontaneity, or deviation from a meticulous schedule. Proponents may begin to choose habits and work patterns that reinforce their disciplined self-image. They stay at the desk until deep in the night, or fasting for an extra day just to prove they can, even when these conflict with relational needs, leisure, or health. This kind of self-discipline can foster isolation in three ways: Time-intensive routines (early mornings, extended work hours, strict fitness or side-hustle regimes) crowd out social life and community participation. They avoid relationships or spaces that “threaten” routine, and they end up narrowing social worlds to similarly disciplined peers, or online productivity subcultures. They believe that we have sole responsibility for our station in life, rather than seeing the broader, systemic issues. This can cause us to internalize blame, which leads to shame, loneliness, and low self-worth. Discipline as a modern-day comfort blanket The definition of our current moment is a paradox: intensified individual responsibility amid abject structural insecurity. Theres an expectation for us to optimize every facet of our lives: our skills, our bodies, and our relationships. This has two major implications. First, we engage the language of discipline to obscure the structural causes of success and failure. We see unemployment, underemployment, and burnout as deficits of willpower rather than outcomes of policy, corporate practice, or macroeconomic conditions. Second, self-care industries, while at times genuinely beneficial, individualize the management of systemic stress. As a result, this capitalizes on widespread alienation to the detriment of most for the benefit of a few. We see this dynamic play out for knowledge workers and founders in particular. Hustle culture normalizes permanent availability, constant upskilling, and the erosion of boundaries between work and non-work, all in the name of disciplined ambition. The result is another paradox: The very discipline that enables career advancement may also entrench the conditionsoverwork, anxiety, weakened social tiesthat undermine our long-term wellbeing and creativity. Toward a more humane discipline Tempting as it feels to jettison self-discipline altogether, we have a powerful opportunity to reclaim the term. A more humane approach would treat discipline less as an austerity project and more as a tool for protecting your time, energy, and attention for what genuinely matters to you. A good name for this term is mindful self-discipline. Practically, adopting mindful self-discipline means taking a few steps: Self-Knowledge: Get really clear on who you are and what matters to you. Not to your parents, peers, society, colleagues, or rndom influencers. For many, this requires peeling back the layers of values and ideas weve taken on, often subconsciously, and identifying our own core values, needs, and priorities. Self-Awareness: Use discernment to employ disciplined behavior around boundaries, rather than endless productivity. Limit work hours, design your downtime as nonnegotiable, and actively resist the pressure to optimize every waking moment. Self-Compassion: Ensure that your motivation for pursuing your work, hobbies, and other activities in life doesnt come from the belief that youre lazy, unworthy, or weak. Foster strong self-beliefs around your own intrinsic value as a human being to protect yourself from any harmful self-discipline narrative. Mindful self-discipline can be used as a strategic resource to carve out autonomy and dignity. The task for all of us is to ensure that human discipline serves our individual and collective flourishingrather than diminishing the very same.
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Most factories still run on fossil fuels, whether theyre making potato chips or steel. But a new “thermal battery” could make it cheaper to do the same work with clean energy. Electrified Thermal Solutions, a startup spun out from MIT research in 2021, just fired up a demo battery that can hit 1,800degrees Celsiushot enough to make steel, cement, or chemicals. The battery uses power from the grid to heat its custom bricks when electricity is cheap. When a factory needs hot air later, it’s provided by the superheated bricks. [Photo: Electrified Thermal] Its also cheaper to use than natural gas, so factories dont need a climate goal to be convinced to make the switch. [Image: Electrified Thermal] “This is a cheaper approach to heat that today isn’t being taken advantage of, says Daniel Stack, cofounder and CEO of Electrified Thermal Solutions. Electricity is already a cheaper heat source than natural gas, but in the past factories haven’t been able to feasibly use it with their equipment. Some other startups are making similar thermal batteries, but cant reach the highest temperatures needed by certain industries. Electrified Thermals tech, called the Joule Hive Thermal Battery, uses a unique conductive brick that electricity can flow straight through, enabling ultra-high temperatures. [Photo: Electrified Thermal] Backers include ArcelorMittal, the worlds largest steelmaker, which could eventually use the technology to heat up equipment like blast furnaces. The savings for industrial customers could be substantial. We can charge up with the cheapest electricity during hours of low prices, and this can save you 15%, 20%, 30% on your heating bill, Stack says. These commodity industries live and die by the price they pay for their heating inputs. Both in the U.S. and Europe, wholesale electricity prices drop close to zeroor even negative pricesat certain times when renewable energy is abundant. The startup is focused first on Europe, where policy makes it easier to access that cheap electricity. (Even as electricity demand grows from data centers, Stack says that there will still be plenty of surplus electricity available at particular hours at a lower price.) [Photo: Electrified Thermal] The tech is designed to be easily added to existing factories, with pipes connecting hot air from the batteries into existing kilns, boilers, or furnaces. Customers have the option to pay for heat as a service or buy the batteries directly. The new demonstration system, at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, will let potential customers see the equipment in action. Commercial units will begin rolling out to some customers later this year. The batteries can easily scale up, Stack says, and are made from off-the-shelf materials. The bricks are similar to those used in glassmaking, and a large manufacturer, HWI, is beginning to mass manufacture them. If industry at large makes the switch, the climate benefits would be huge. By one estimate, industrial process heat uses around 20% of the world’s energy. “We’re talking about massive emissions reductionsto the tune of several gigatons per year of CO2reduced through this transition,” Stack says.
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