From Alchemy to AIchemy: On Matter, Minds & Tools

This essay explores the impact of information processing on chemistry and materials science through a chronological journey that begins with the origins of life and ends with speculations of what will be possible in 2050. We pause at key moments in this history to reflect on changes to the three main, intertwined threads of this story: matter, minds, and tools. “Matter ” refers to the chemical environment that our species interacts with. “Minds” refer to the collective of natural and artificial intelligence that we have access to, as well as our inherent biological information-processing capacity. “Tools” refer to the different processing technologies, such as flasks, oil refineries, computer processors, and so on, that humans employ to understand and manipulate matter. Through this framework, the essay considers the roles of cyborgs and androids today and speculates on the potential future of AI for science.