The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) recently announced an ambitious new program aimed at driving breakthroughs in various scientific fields. At a press conference in Beijing, CAS Vice President Zhou Qi emphasized that the program focuses on pivotal scientific questions and aims to foster original research and technological advancements through shared infrastructure and AI-enhanced research methodologies.
The initial phase includes ten groundbreaking projects, targeting research in areas such as:
– Synthesis of new elements
– Nature of dark matter and dark energy
– Microscopic measurements of chemical bonds
– Creation of synthetic cells
CAS aims to encourage collaboration among eminent scientists both nationally and internationally, leveraging its extensive scientific facilities, AI resources, and research networks.
Furthermore, the program prioritizes addressing challenges related to national security, public health, and significant engineering projects by promoting innovative solutions in under-explored scientific domains.
To facilitate this, the program plans to employ AI for analyzing vast amounts of research literature and experimental data to identify pressing problems and swiftly verify solutions through automated experiments. With 77 major scientific infrastructures in China, 43 operated by the CAS, these facilities will serve as vital support platforms in advancing frontier research during the era of big science.
