Throughout human history, the course of human progress has been inexorably linked to the development and utilization of various materials. We can observe distinct eras such as the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and more recently, the Silicon Age. As we confront the multitude of challenges facing our planet today, once again, the advent of new materials and chemicals holds tremendous potential to address these issues. For instance, envision a catalyst capable of efficiently capturing carbon from the air, resembling the composition of locally produced fertilizers on farms. Additionally, the urgent need to purify water sources and discover novel life-saving medications necessitates breakthroughs in material design.
For over half a century, scientists have harbored the belief that computers possess the capability to revolutionize the creation of materials and chemicals. Now, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture in history, where the necessary components for realizing this vision have coalesced. One crucial factor is the sheer magnitude of computational power offered by the vast scale of cloud computing resources available today. Compared to the time it previously took to simulate a mere hundred materials, we can now simulate a million in a fraction of that duration. The second key ingredient lies in the remarkable advancements achieved in generative artificial intelligence. This technology empowers us to generate text and images seamlessly through natural language prompts. Just imagine the boundless possibilities if we were to apply this same technology to the design of materials and chemicals.
With the aid of AI, scientists are now poised to delve into the intricate language of nature, gaining profound insights and unlocking its secrets. Furthermore, the imminent emergence of quantum computers holds tremendous promise in this field. Quantum computers operate on principles akin to those governing the natural world, rendering them uniquely suited to solving these complex problems with unparalleled precision. Consequently, we stand at the threshold of a new era of scientific discovery, where the convergence of cutting-edge technologies propels us towards extraordinary advancements.