Machine learning and serving of discrete field theories -- when artificial intelligence meets the discrete universe

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel machine learning approach for discrete field theories in physics, enabling prediction of physical phenomena without relying on continuous models or prior knowledge of underlying laws.

Contribution

It develops algorithms for learning and serving discrete field theories directly from observational data, overcoming challenges of continuous theory learning and demonstrating superior structure-preserving predictions.

Findings

Successfully learned discrete theories from planetary data

Accurately predicted various planetary orbits including escape trajectories

Applicable to relativistic effects and supports simulation hypothesis

Abstract

A method for machine learning and serving of discrete field theories in physics is developed. The learning algorithm trains a discrete field theory from a set of observational data on a spacetime lattice, and the serving algorithm uses the learned discrete field theory to predict new observations of the field for new boundary and initial conditions. The approach to learn discrete field theories overcomes the difficulties associated with learning continuous theories by artificial intelligence. The serving algorithm of discrete field theories belongs to the family of structure-preserving geometric algorithms, which have been proven to be superior to the conventional algorithms based on discretization of differential equations. The effectiveness of the method and algorithms developed is demonstrated using the examples of nonlinear oscillations and the Kepler problem. In particular, the learning algorithm learns a discrete field theory from a set of data of planetary orbits similar to what Kepler inherited from Tycho Brahe in 1601, and the serving algorithm correctly predicts other planetary orbits, including parabolic and hyperbolic escaping orbits, of the solar system without learning or knowing Newton's laws of motion and universal gravitation. The proposed algorithms are also applicable when effects of special relativity and general relativity are important. The illustrated advantages of discrete field theories relative to continuous theories in terms of machine learning compatibility are consistent with Bostrom's simulation hypothesis.