Short abstract

The Institute of Physics carried out a study to understand how AI is used in physics, the physicists’ attitudes towards AI and what are the challenges and opportunities for AI to contribute to physics research and innovation. The study uncovered discipline-specific perspectives.

Long abstract

In some areas of research, physicists have been using AI for decades, but these methods have only become pervasive throughout physics in the past five years. Physics both contributes to the development of and benefits from AI technologies, which leads to a special relationship between the two fields.

Based on a survey on 700 physicists and community workshops, the study found that many of the views and attitudes of the physics community align with those of the broader scientific community identified in previous work. However, our study found that the respondents were concerned by the environmental impact of AI and the loss of understanding that could result from the use of AI. The community was keen to develop codes of best practice, guidance for data sharing and sustainable software development, as well as collaborate with industry.