Research

The intersection of artificial intelligence and mathematics is yielding groundbreaking results, with Google DeepMind’s AI for Math Initiative at the forefront of this revolution. By leveraging AI-powered tools, mathematicians can now tackle complex problems with unprecedented speed and accuracy. This move reflects broader industry trends, where AI is being increasingly used to augment human capabilities in various fields. At the heart of this initiative are five prestigious research institutions: Imperial College London, Institute for Advanced Study, Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHES), Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing (UC Berkeley), and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). These institutions will work together to identify areas where AI can drive mathematical breakthroughs, develop new tools and infrastructure, and accelerate the pace of discovery. ...

The rapid advancement of DNA sequencing technologies has led to an explosion of genomic data, with over 100 petabytes of information currently stored in central databases such as the American SRA and the European ENA. This move reflects broader industry trends towards big data and precision medicine. However, searching through these vast amounts of data has been a significant challenge for researchers, requiring massive computing power and resources. To address this issue, computer scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a digital tool called “MetaGraph,” which enables efficient and accurate searching of petabase-scale sequence repositories. As Professor Gunnar Rätsch notes, “It’s a kind of Google for DNA.” This innovative search engine allows researchers to quickly identify specific DNA sequences, including those related to antibiotic resistance and unknown pathogens. ...