[Linkpost] “How AI could slow scientific progress -” by Josh

This is a link post. Note: This is a linkpost to an essay written by Princeton computer science professor Arvind Narayanan and PHD candidate Sayash Kapoor entitled “Could AI slow science?”. The authors may not see or respond to comments on this post. I'm posting this because I think it is a well-articulated counterargument to the growing opinion that an AI intelligence explosion that rapidly accelerates scientific progress is imminent or inevitable. Could AI slow science? AI leaders have predicted that it will enable dramatic scientific progress: curing cancer, doubling the human lifespan, colonizing space, and achieving a century of progress in the next decade. Given the cuts to federal funding for science in the U.S., the timing seems perfect, as AI could replace the need for a large scientific workforce. It's a common-sense view, at least among technologists, that AI will speed science greatly as it gets adopted [...] ---Outline:(00:38) Could AI slow science?(03:22) Science has been slowing -- the production-progress paradox(10:26) Why is progress slowing? Can AI help?(15:56) Science is not ready for software, let alone AI(22:28) AI might prolong the reliance on flawed theories(26:21) Human understanding remains essential(32:43) Implications for the future of science(39:35) Final thoughts(40:56) Further reading--- First published: July 17th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/TSFF4Jpef2dr5PJPd/how-ai-could-slow-scientific-progress-linkpost Linkpost URL:https://www.aisnakeoil.com/p/could-ai-slow-science --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.