Vanessa A. Seifert
Philosophy of Chemistry_ Philosophy of Science
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Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral project, funded by Horizon Europe, European Commission
University of Athens
2023- 2025
More info here
Aim
Predicting and Explaining with AI (PExAI) studies Machine Learning (ML) algorithms from the perspective of the philosophy of science, with the aim to establish a rigorous framework for the philosophical investigation of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Scope & information
2026-2028
University of Athens
Funded by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation
Advisory Board:
Theodore Arabatzis, Athens
Craig Butts, Bristol
Emanuele Ratti, Bristol
Scope
The goal of PExAI is to demystify the role of AI in scientific progress by examining in detail how it is used via the application of ML algorithms in chemistry for the prediction of new chemical substances and the explanation of novel reaction mechanisms.
The case study
IMPRESSION is the ML algorithm that will be used as the primary case study. It is currently developed at the University of Bristol under the leadership of Prof. Craig Butts.
Objectives
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Offer an account of the predictive power of the ML algorithms that are used for the prediction of chemical substances.​
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Offer an account of the explanatory power of ML algorithms that are used for the production of new reaction mechanisms. ​
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Evaluate how ML algorithms in chemistry affect our idea of scientific progress and how progress relates to the adherence of a scientific theory and the belief that the theory is true
Dissemination
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Publications & Popular Science articles​
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Reading Group: if you wish to attend our discussions, please sign up here​