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Advancing the Scientific Method with Large Language Models: From Hypothesis to Discovery

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arxiv 2505.16477 v1 pith:Q3URT7LL submitted 2025-05-22 cs.AI

Advancing the Scientific Method with Large Language Models: From Hypothesis to Discovery

classification cs.AI
keywords scientificllmshypothesislanguagelargemethodmodelsscience
verification ladder T0 review T1 audit T2 compute T3 formal T4 reserved
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With recent Nobel Prizes recognising AI contributions to science, Large Language Models (LLMs) are transforming scientific research by enhancing productivity and reshaping the scientific method. LLMs are now involved in experimental design, data analysis, and workflows, particularly in chemistry and biology. However, challenges such as hallucinations and reliability persist. In this contribution, we review how Large Language Models (LLMs) are redefining the scientific method and explore their potential applications across different stages of the scientific cycle, from hypothesis testing to discovery. We conclude that, for LLMs to serve as relevant and effective creative engines and productivity enhancers, their deep integration into all steps of the scientific process should be pursued in collaboration and alignment with human scientific goals, with clear evaluation metrics. The transition to AI-driven science raises ethical questions about creativity, oversight, and responsibility. With careful guidance, LLMs could evolve into creative engines, driving transformative breakthroughs across scientific disciplines responsibly and effectively. However, the scientific community must also decide how much it leaves to LLMs to drive science, even when associations with 'reasoning', mostly currently undeserved, are made in exchange for the potential to explore hypothesis and solution regions that might otherwise remain unexplored by human exploration alone.

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Cited by 5 Pith papers

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