天南海北新年味｜刷新“亲吻数”纪录的“新年礼物” 揭秘PackingStar背后的科学浪漫

Core Insights - The research team from Shanghai Institute of Science and Intelligent Technology, in collaboration with Peking University and Fudan University, has developed a multi-agent reinforcement learning system called PackingStar, which has set new records in the long-standing mathematical problem known as the "kissing number" problem, marking a significant breakthrough in the field of mathematical structures [1][2][3] Group 1: Research and Development - PackingStar addresses high-dimensional combinatorial optimization problems, similar to challenges in new material design and drug discovery, by finding optimal solutions in exponentially growing search spaces [3] - The system has revealed solutions that possess clear geometric rules while breaking global symmetry, leading to new mathematical constructs that were previously incomprehensible [3] - The collaboration between human intuition and AI in the research process has transformed the role of mathematicians from tedious calculations to becoming "mathematical observers" and "intuition designers" [3][4] Group 2: AI and Human Collaboration - The project signifies a shift towards a new paradigm of collaborative research where human mathematicians provide insights and intuition, while AI constructs structures and searches for proofs, creating a feedback loop that enhances both AI capabilities and human mathematical intuition [4][5] - The development of PackingStar is compared to AlphaFold in biology, highlighting the need for deep collaboration between AI experts and mathematicians to tackle problems that lack existing training data [4][6] Group 3: Cultural and Philosophical Context - The team embodies a cross-disciplinary approach, merging backgrounds in physics, AI, and mathematics, which fosters a creative environment conducive to scientific breakthroughs [7][8] - The name "PackingStar" reflects both the research focus on high-dimensional space and the diverse talents of the team members, symbolizing a new generation of scientific inquiry at the intersection of technology and humanities [7][8]