I used an AI for 7 months to search for a Theory of Everything. I failed. And it’s the best thing that could have happened.

The Unexpected Gift of Searching for a Theory of Everything with AI

Reflections on Failure, Rigor, and Genuine Discovery

Over the past seven months, I embarked on an ambitious journey: leveraging artificial intelligence to uncover a unified understanding of the universe—a true Theory of Everything. While the effort did not yield the groundbreaking insight I hoped for, I’ve come to realize that this very failure was one of the most valuable experiences I could have hoped for.

Challenging the Common Perceptions of AI in Scientific Inquiry

In many discussions—especially within communities like the Theory of Everything subreddit—AI is frequently depicted as a tool to generate potentially promising models or solutions. However, during my time working closely with an AI, I discovered that its greatest strength isn’t simply in offering answers but in acting as a mirror to our own reasoning processes.

A critical aspect often overlooked is how we engage with AI. Are we asking it to validate our preconceived notions, or are we challenging it to uncover flaws? The framing of prompts fundamentally shapes the insights we receive. For instance, requesting “Show me how my theory is consistent” invites self-affirmation; asking “Identify every logical flaw” compels rigorous scrutiny. The AI’s responses are only as honest and rigorous as our questions.

Adopting a Process of Honest Testing

Rather than seeking validation or a neat solution, I chose to treat AI as an opponent—an intellectual sparring partner committed to rigor. Initially, I was enchanted by early results that seemed revolutionary. But instead of basking in validation, I challenged the AI to find weaknesses, inconsistencies, and data failures.

This approach pushed me to learn coding in Python, which became an indispensable part of my toolkit. More significantly, it fundamentally shifted my relationship with knowledge. The core idea I pursued—a dynamic “ether” filling space—was fascinating but ultimately shattered, not by opinion, but by real, empirical data. The hypothesis failed spectacularly.

The Power of Embracing Failure

That failure was a pivotal moment. It reinforced a crucial principle: true discovery often begins when we are willing to let go of our certainties. Instead of clinging to foundational beliefs, we must be prepared to question, abandon, or recalibrate our assumptions. This openness to failure is the essence of scientific progress.

Guidelines for Thoughtful AI Collaboration

If you’re considering using AI to explore your ideas—whether in physics, philosophy, or any complex field—