Mike Williams | Phiala Shanahan | Marisa LaFleur | Thomas Bradford
Interim Director | Interim Deputy Director | Managing Director | Project Coordinator
September 5, 2025
Institute for Artificial Intelligence and
Fundamental Interactions
State of the IAIFI 2025
Agenda
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What does IAIFI do?
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Deep Learning (AI) + Deep Thinking (Physics) = Deeper Understanding
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= AI + Physics
Pioneering �interdisciplinary
RESEARCH
Building a dynamic
COMMUNITY
Empowering the �next generation of
TALENT
IAIFI Management
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Mike Williams�Interim Director
Phiala Shanahan
Interim Deputy Director
Marisa LaFleur
Managing Director
Thomas Bradford
Project Coordinator
Jesse Thaler is on a well-deserved sabbatical �in Paris for this academic year.
Thank you to Jesse for his leadership �over IAIFI’s first 5 years!
IAIFI Research Impact�
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Advancing physics knowledge and galvanizing AI research innovation
Dark Matter Searches
LHC
IceCube
(& DUNE)
LIGO
Experimental Physics
Enhancing the operations and analysis of flagship NSF experiments through AI
Astrophysics
Using AI techniques to understand the universe on cosmological scales
Structure Formation
Multi-Messenger Astrophysics
Many-Body Physics
QFT & String Theory
Standard Model
Theoretical Physics
Leveraging AI to understand the theoretical underpinning�of fundamental physics
Representation Learning
Robust/ Interpretable AI
Reinforcement Learning
Foundational AI
Infusing physics principles into AI to create state-of-the-art AI innovations
IAIFI Interdisciplinary Research
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Join IAIFI Thematic Discussions, generally 3rd Friday of each month, to identify cross-disciplinary collaboration opportunities!
Next one: IAIFI Mini-Symposium (Friday, September 19, 2025 at 2:00 pm)
IAIFI Investigators are collaborating across disciplines and working on projects that span a range of outcomes and challenges
Going forward, we aim to:
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IAIFI is Engaging in Groundbreaking Research
QuanTA: Efficient High-Rank Fine-Tuning of LLMs with Quantum-Informed Tensor Adaptation�Zhuo Chen, Rumen Dangovski, Charlotte Loh, Owen Dugan, Di Luo, Marin Soljačić (MIT)�https://arxiv.org/pdf/2406.00132
Generative Modeling for Mathematical Discovery�Jordan S. Ellenberg (UW Madison), Cristofero S. Fraser-Taliente (U. of Oxford), Thomas R. Harvey (IAIFI Fellow), Karan Srivastava (UW Madison), Andrew V. Sutherland (MIT)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.11061
Maven: A Multimodal Foundation Model for Supernova Science�Alexander T. Gagliano, Siddharth Mishra-Sharma (IAIFI Fellows), V. Ashley Villar, Gemma Zhang (Harvard), Thomas Helfer (Stony Brook)�https://arxiv.org/pdf/2408.16829
NeurIPS Workshop: Spotlight talk & runner-up best paper
Robust Resonant Anomaly Detection with NPLM�Gaia Grosso (IAIFI Fellow), Debajyoti Sengupta (U. of Geneva), Tobias Golling (U. of Geneva), Philip Harris (MIT)�https://arxiv.org/pdf/2501.01778
Empowering the Next Generation of Talent
2023–2026 Fellows
2022–2025 Fellows
AI for String Theory
Thomas Harvey
AI and Statistical Physics
Michael Albergo
AI for Particle Physics
Samuel Bright-Thonney
Physics for AI
Akshunna Dogra
AI for Astrophysics
Alex Gagliano
AI for Particle Physics
Gaia Grosso
AI for Lattice Field Theory
Denis Boyda
AI for Cosmology
Carolina Cuesta-Lazaro
AI for Neutrino Physics
Jessie Micallef
2024–2027 Fellows
Applications now being accepted for the next round! �Apply by October 8, 2025: https://iaifi.org/fellows
2025–2028 Fellows (Welcome!)
Data-driven and physics-based methods for scientific imaging
Berthy Feng
Machine learning applied to �theoretical physics
Mathis Gerdis
Research Scientist at Meta AI
→ Asst. Prof at NYU �in 2026
→ Senior Postdoc for Tufts, based at Fermilab
2021-2024 Fellows
Building a Dynamic Community
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Networking Events
Weekly Coffee Breaks
Meet-Ups
Pizza, Games, & Crafts Night
Colloquia
Journal Club
Industry Lunches
IAIFI hosts 1–3 events per semester
Wednesdays at 10:00am in Penthouse
2–3 per semester
Member-led ($ available)
First Friday of each month at 5:00 (next Oct 3)
Two Fridays per month at 2:00
Wednesdays at 11:00am
2025 IAIFI Summer School
4.4
Average rating out of 5 for value of lectures
Very likely to recommend to a colleague
99%
100
in-person attendees
15
countries
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Lecture sets
4
Tutorial sets
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Attendee �Lightning Talks
“Has given me state-of-the-art vocabulary and tools”
- Attendee
213
virtual attendees
Familiarity with topics before School�(Beginner to Advanced)
Familiarity with topics after School�(Beginner to Advanced)
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Hackathon Submissions
2025 IAIFI Summer Workshop
Very likely to recommend to a colleague
4.0
Average rating out of 5 for value of talks
92%
“Nice exposure to a variety of fields and topics.”
- Attendee
173
registered
15
countries
29
plenary talks
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contributed talks
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posters
Impact on research going forward�(Not at all to Very High)
Museum of Science Dinner and Planetarium Show!
Reflecting on Year 5: IAIFI Engagement
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Senior Investigators
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Affiliates
15
IAIFI Fellows
121
Junior Investigators
250
Friends of IAIFI
143
Alumni
450
Papers on ArXiv
233
Published papers
183
Software packages
73
Research projects
83
Committee members
38
Average event attendance
Key Successes
Growth Opportunities
What role can you have in IAIFI?
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Current Committee Structure
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Advisory
Management
Director, Deputy Director, Project Manager, Project Coordinator
Steering Committee
28 Senior Investigators
Institute Board
1 Senior Investigator from each Institution + ECEC Chair + Management
Junior Investigators
Aim for no more than 2 committees each
Affiliates
Committees optional
Friends of IAIFI
Committees optional
External Advisory Board
7 experts in Physics and AI, external to IAIFI
Senior Investigators
Aim for no more than 1 committee each
Overall Coordination & Direction
Implementation: IAIFI Activities�Coordinated by Committees (Project Manager ex officio)
Early Career and Ethics Committee
Chair:
Lisa Barsotti
Research
Coordinators: Edo B., Schuchin A., Phil H., & Phiala S.
Fellowship
Coordinator: Jim Halverson
MITx
Coordinators:
Ike Chuang & Phil Harris
Summer School & Workshop
Coordinator:
Fabian Ruehle
Community Building
Coordinator:
Tracy Slatyer
Speaker Selection
Coordinators:
Alex Gagliano & Gaia Grosso
Journal Club
Coordinators:
Sean B., Rikab G.
Public Engagement
Coordinator:
Lina Necib
Industry Partnership
Coordinator:
Marin Soljacic
Computing
Coordinator:
Will Detmold
Updated Forum/Committee Structure
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Advisory
Management
Director, Deputy Director, Project Manager, Project Coordinator
Steering Committee
15 Senior Investigators
Institute Board
1 Senior Investigator from each Institution + ECEC Chair + Management
Junior Investigators
Aim for no more than 1 forum/committee each
Affiliates
Committees optional
Friends of IAIFI
Committees optional
External Advisory Board
7 experts in Physics and AI, external to IAIFI
Senior Investigators
Aim for no more than 1 forum/committee each
Overall Coordination & Direction
Ethics Committee
Chair + 4-5 JIs
Fellowship
Chair + 6 SIs
MITx/Micromasters
Management + SI coordinator
Summer School & Workshop
Chair + 2 SIs + 4-5 JIs
Speaker Selection
2 Fellows + 4-5 JIs
Journal Club
Coordinators:
2-3 JIs
Research Forum
SI Chair + 3–4 Fellows board + open to all
Talent Forum
SI Chair + 3-4 JI board + open to all
Community Forum
SI Chair + 3-4 JI board + open to all
Project-based committees
(will form additional one-offs as needed)
Personnel Expectations: Junior Members
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*Publicity material will be tweet-length summaries of papers to address feedback from the NSF and Strategic Planning Committee recommendations.
| Fellows | Grad Fellows (pending renewal) | Funded JIs | Unfunded JIs | Friends of IAIFI |
Connection to SI/Affiliate | Mentor | Supported by/working with SI | Yes (SI only) | Required | Not necessary |
Forum/Committee Work | Required | Required | Required once every 2 years | Encouraged | Not required |
IAIFI Research | Required; produce publicity material* | Required; produce publicity material* | Required; produce publicity material* | Required | Encouraged |
Average Attendance | ≥ 1 per week | ≥ 1 per week | ≥ 1 per week | ≥ 1 per month | No requirement |
Penthouse | Yes | Yes | Possible | Possible | No |
Apply for Additional Funding/Initiatives? | Can be the lead | Supported by or working with SI | Supported by or working with SI | Supported by or working with SI | Supported by or working with SI |
Boston Area? | Required | Required | Required | Not required | Not required |
Personnel Expectations: Reporting and Tracking
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What resources are available to IAIFI members?
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IAIFI Resources for Members
Computing Resources��Available to IAIFI Investigators only; hosted by Harvard Cannon��bit.ly/iaifi-computing
IAIFI Talks��Colloquia, thematic discussions, journal clubs��https://iaifi.org/events-calendar.html
IAIFI Career Support��Industry lunches, job board, career resources��https://iaifi.org/career-support.html
IAIFI Penthouse (MIT 26-648)�Desks for visitors, weekly coffee hours, monthly games and crafts nights��bit.ly/penthouse-guest
IAIFI Code of Conduct and Related Policies
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Code of Conduct:
Regardless of their position or seniority, members of the IAIFI and participants in IAIFI activities are expected to:
Furthermore, members of the IAIFI and participants in IAIFI activities may not engage in retaliation against anyone for objecting to a behavior that may violate this Code of Conduct, reporting a violation of the Code of Conduct, or participating in the resolution of such a complaint.
Related Policies:
In addition to this Code of Conduct, members of the IAIFI and participants in IAIFI activities are required to comply with MIT’s Non-Discrimination Policy, and MIT’s Policy prohibiting Discriminatory Harassment, including Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Gender-Based Harassment, and Title IX Sexual Harassment. IAIFI members must also be aware of and abide by their institutions’ policies against research misconduct.
Visit https://iaifi.org/code-of-conduct.html for further details on these policies, reporting procedures, and accompanying resources.
Reporting Pathway for Violations to the Code of Conduct
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Complaint submitted
Who received the complaint?
IAIFI Feedback form�(can be anonymous)
Full ECEC reviews
Discrimination or harassment?
IAIFI Management
Yes
Report to MIT IDHR Office
Report to IAIFI Management
No
Informs ECEC faculty/staff member (typically the chair)*
ECEC Member
*Identity can be redacted on request
At the same time
Coordinate with appropriate institution HR on investigation/resolution
How can you get more involved?
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Ways to Get Involved in Research
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Monthly Thematic Discussions: https://iaifi.org/lightning-talks.html�Attend to learn about IAIFI research in cross-cutting themes, share what you’re working on, and discuss research opportunities.
→ Semesterly Fellows Showcase + Social!
Weekly(ish) journal club: https://iaifi.org/journal-club�Most Wednesdays, 11:00 am–12:00 pm�Attend to learn about IAIFI or IAIFI-adjacent research; �Sign up to lead to share research you are interested in�
Weekly IAIFI Coffee Hours in the Penthouse �(MIT 26-648)�Wednesdays, 10:00–11:00 am�Refreshments provided; chat with other IAIFI members
Discussions on IAIFI Slack:
Reach out to other IAIFI members: https://iaifi.org/people
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Annual IAIFI Summer Workshop: https://iaifi.org/summer-workshop �Anticipated August 2026
�IAIFI-adjacent workshops: https://iaifi.org/related-events.html ���IAIFI social events to meet your peers: https://iaifi.org/events-calendar.html
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IAIFI Coordinates Public Engagement and Education Activities
Cambridge Science Festival Carnival https://iaifi.org/outreach.html#cambridge-science-festival-2025
2024: Spot the Difference: AI vs Reality in Physics
Upcoming (Volunteers Needed!):
- Sunday, September 21, 2025, 12:00–4:00 pm, MIT Open Space�Exploring AI+Physics
Summer Students��Hosted 5 summer students at MIT - �4 through MSRP (working with Mike Williams, Lina Necib, Lisa Barsotti, and Tess Smidt), and 1 through RSI (working with Lina Necib)
IAIFI Summer School 2025��Tutorials, lectures, hackathon, and networking in AI + physics��https://iaifi.org/phd-summer-school.html ��Anticipated August 2026
MITx Course��Computational Data Science in Physics�https://mitxonline.mit.edu/courses/course-v1:MITxT+8.S50.3x/ �
Running now! Open to all.
Interdisciplinary PhD��Open to MIT physics graduate students�https://physics.mit.edu/academic-programs/graduate-students/psds-phd/
Forums and Committees
Committees
In the survey mentioned earlier, you’ll let us know which forum(s) or committee(s) you’d like to participate in. Some participation is required for funded members, but is welcome from all.
Monthly Forums
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RESEARCH
TALENT
COMMUNITY
Summer School & Workshop
Will meet in Fall 2025 to start planning the next Summer School & Workshop.
Speaker Selection
Will meet in 2026 to plan the next academic year of invited speakers.
Ethics
Will meet on an as-needed basis to advise IAIFI management on ethics-related topics.
Journal Club
Sean B. and Victoria Z. are this year’s organizers, but feel free to reach out if you want to get involved in the future.
Mentoring, career support, computing resources, early career perspectives, + more!
Social events, public engagement (including K-12!), industry partnerships, + more!
Thematic discussions, workshops, + more!
You can volunteer to be a standing member, or attend a meeting one-off to provide feedback & check in!
Alternatively, you can volunteer to be a member of a committee, which will meet as needed and is organized around a specific project.
What is coming up in Fall 2025 for IAIFI?
Weekly Calendar
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Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Weekly Digest
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Friday Talk Reminder (if applicable)
Journal Club & Coffee Hour Reminder Coffee Hour 10:00–11:00 IAIFI Penthouse Journal Club� 11:00–12:00� IAIFI Penthouse
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Reminder for next week (if applicable)
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IAIFI Afternoon Reminder Industry Lunch� ~1 per month 12:30–1:30� IAIFI Penthouse IAIFI Afternoons*� 2:00–4:00� MIT Kolker Room (26-414)/ IAIFI Penthouse� *Colloquia, Thematic Discussions, meetings, etc. |
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IAIFI Afternoons: Fridays, 2:00–3:00 pm in MIT Kolker Room (26-414) followed by reception in IAIFI Penthouse
What’s Coming Up
Thematic Discussions
Francisco Villaescusa-Navarro, Research Scientist, Simons Foundation
Journal Club
Berthy Feng, Postdoctoral Fellow, IAIFI
Co-Working Sessions, Pizza & Game Nights
IAIFI Colloquia
For every Colloquium, IAIFI organizes a catered networking lunch for students and postdocs to connect with the invited speakers.
What is going on with IAIFI renewal?
IAIFI Renewal
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Throughout all this, we will be looking to identify alternative funding sources.
Up Next:
Until 3:00: Reception (Kolker Room) with wine and cheese
3:00–4:00: Junior Town Hall (Kolker Room)�Steering Committee Meeting (LNS Conference Room)
Then (5:00–7:00): Pizza and Game Night in Penthouse
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Questions/Feedback?
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Thank you!
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