Claude computes nine-loop scattering amplitudes, physicists ask: where's the novel theory?

burny_tech · x · 2026-09-26

Anthropic's science blog claims Claude can compute "nine loop" scattering amplitudes — the notoriously hard formulas of theoretical physics where each added loop multiplies computation exponentially and most work stops at two or three loops.

Physicist reaction was measured: a responder argued the real milestone would be AI proposing a novel quantum gravity theory accepted by the community — like loop quantum gravity, string theory, or causal dynamical triangulations — rather than accelerating calculations within existing frameworks, which don't require galaxy-sized colliders to verify but also aren't original theory.

Related event: Anthropic Says Claude Autonomously Computes Nine-Loop Scattering Amplitude, Breaking Physics Record(12 posts)→

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