2023-10-03 08:00:06
Example of fundamental research coming out of physics laboratories. Here a prototype of quantum technologies developed by the startup Alice&Bob. SHORT: A prototype of quantum technology, from a research laboratory and developed by a startup, Alice&Bob HUBERT RAGUET/ALICE&BOB/LPENS/CNRS IMAGES
Tuesday October 3, the day the Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded, France launches the year of physics. The Atomic Energy Commission, the CNRS, France Universités, the Ministry of National Education and the French Physical Society will propose various initiatives to “promote an attractive image of the discipline”. On the program, days of immersion in laboratories for teachers, the release of a book on October 26 (Amazing physicsunder the direction of Séverine Martrenchard, CNRS Editions, 300 pages, 24 euros), a physics night on April 2, 2024, educational kits or cases for schools…
Coincidentally, the CNRS Institute of Physics (INP) launched a few months ago a vast foresight exercise to know where the discipline will be in 2030. On September 12 and 13, fifteen working groups produced very rich copies, including the director of the INP, Thierry Dauxoishighlighted « l’intelligence collective ». Big fundamental questions, or “small” questions in materials sciences, soft matter, complex systems, etc., or even interactions with health, climate, energy, without forgetting the theme of scientific culture, physicists have to work ahead for several years.
A synthesis, coordinated by Frédéric Restagno, CNRS researcher at Paris-Saclay University, will be published at the end of the year. The first discussions were an opportunity to identify cross-cutting issues.
The first is undoubtedly artificial intelligence (AI). Mainly as an analysis tool, but also as a concern. “This requires us to review what we call modeling”asks the Complex Systems group, which even calls for the creation of a “CERN of artificial intelligence” to understand what these neural networks are and “reintegrate AI research into the academic fold”.
Recruit new profiles
Its development also ties in with another issue for the future, that of human resources. Not to simply ask for more staff, but to emphasize the skills to be maintained or created. The Digital Methods group therefore advocates recruiting data scientists to help with data management. It also suggests the arrival of new profiles, such as “digital experimenters”experienced in various modeling techniques, including AI, and also capable of bringing them to the benefit of a laboratory.
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