Scientists speculated that the system could be a new way of quickly thinking up new hypotheses and new breakthroughs on a range of important topics.
Google itself noted in its announcement that the innovation “opens numerous questions”, including how scientists will be able to quickly evaluate its many hypotheses, as well as how to credit the system and the ways it will change practical problems such as who is credited for research and how to apply for funding.
But scientists said that the system could also provide entirely new ways of meeting urgent questions that researchers are currently rushing to answer.
The system then checks through the published literature and synthesises it, but can also assess its own findings and propose new hypotheses and possible experiments that might validate them – all while citing literature and explaining its proposals.
Google has revealed a new system called “Co-Scientist” that it says could lead to major new breakthroughs.
