Will artificial intelligence (AI) replace chemists?

VALENTINE P. ANANIKOV
Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow

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Abstract

The current discussion surrounding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in chemistry often centers on the provocative question of whether AI will supplant chemists in the laboratory. Such debates, while stimulating, tend to overshadow a more pressing and realistic consideration. At present, there is little evidence to suggest that AI will replace experimental chemists in research laboratories in the foreseeable future. However, a critical aspect frequently overlooked in these discussions is the competitive advantage that AI confers. Chemists who adeptly integrate AI into their research methodologies are likely to surpass their peers who do not adopt these advanced tools. This shift in research dynamics underscores the importance of embracing AI not as a replacement but as a powerful ally in the evolving landscape of chemical research. This article was written to demystify the capabilities and limitations of AI in modern chemical research, and to provide a balanced perspective on how AI tools can be effectively integrated without wasting the essential human element in scientific discovery.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, chemical industry, Chemical research, Chemical science, machine learning

How to cite:

Ananikov V. P., Will artificial intelligence (AI) replace chemists?, Chemistry Today, 2024, 42(4), 14-15.