Agent4S: The Transformation of Research Paradigms from the Perspective of Large Language Models

Boyuan Zheng; Zerui Fang; Zhe Xu; Rui Wang; Yiwen Chen; Cunshi Wang; Mengwei Qu; Lei Lei; Zhen Feng; Yan Liu; Yuyang Li; Mingzhou Tan; Jiaji Wu; Jianwei Shuai; Jia Li; Fangfu Ye

arXiv · 2506.23692

Agent4S: The Transformation of Research Paradigms from the Perspective of Large Language Models

Boyuan Zheng·Zerui Fang·Zhe Xu·Rui Wang·Yiwen Chen·Cunshi Wang·Mengwei Qu·Lei Lei·Zhen Feng·Yan Liu·Yuyang Li·Mingzhou Tan·Jiaji Wu·Jianwei Shuai·Jia Li·Fangfu Ye

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Abstract

While AI for Science (AI4S) serves as an analytical tool in the current research paradigm, it doesn't solve its core inefficiency. We propose "Agent for Science" (Agent4S)-the use of LLM-driven agents to automate the entire research workflow-as the true Fifth Scientific Paradigm. This paper introduces a five-level classification for Agent4S, outlining a clear roadmap from simple task automation to fully autonomous, collaborative "AI Scientists." This framework defines the next revolutionary step in scientific discovery.

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Boyuan Zheng, Zerui Fang, Zhe Xu, Rui Wang, Yiwen Chen, Cunshi Wang, Mengwei Qu, Lei Lei, Zhen Feng, Yan Liu, Yuyang Li, Mingzhou Tan, Jiaji Wu, Jianwei Shuai, Jia Li, Fangfu Ye. 2025-06-30. Agent4S: The Transformation of Research Paradigms from the Perspective of Large Language Models. https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.23692

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