Is a model equivalent to its computer implementation?

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Hiesmayr, Beatrix C., Hütt, Marc-Thorsten
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Hiesmayr, Beatrix C.
Hütt, Marc-Thorsten
author_facet Hiesmayr, Beatrix C.
Hütt, Marc-Thorsten
contents A recent trend in mathematical modeling is to publish the computer code together with the research findings. Here we explore the formal question, whether and in which sense a computer implementation is distinct from the mathematical model. We argue that, despite the convenience of implemented models, a set of implicit assumptions is perpetuated with the implementation to the extent that even in widely used models the causal link between the (formal) mathematical model and the set of results is no longer certain. Moreover, code publication is often seen as an important contributor to reproducible research, we suggest that in some cases the opposite may be true. A new perspective on this topic stems from the accelerating trend that in some branches of research only implemented models are used, e.g., in artificial intelligence (AI). With the advent of quantum computers we argue that completely novel challenges arise in the distinction between models and implementations.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2402_15364
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Is a model equivalent to its computer implementation?
Hiesmayr, Beatrix C.
Hütt, Marc-Thorsten
Computers and Society
Quantum Physics
A recent trend in mathematical modeling is to publish the computer code together with the research findings. Here we explore the formal question, whether and in which sense a computer implementation is distinct from the mathematical model. We argue that, despite the convenience of implemented models, a set of implicit assumptions is perpetuated with the implementation to the extent that even in widely used models the causal link between the (formal) mathematical model and the set of results is no longer certain. Moreover, code publication is often seen as an important contributor to reproducible research, we suggest that in some cases the opposite may be true. A new perspective on this topic stems from the accelerating trend that in some branches of research only implemented models are used, e.g., in artificial intelligence (AI). With the advent of quantum computers we argue that completely novel challenges arise in the distinction between models and implementations.
title Is a model equivalent to its computer implementation?
topic Computers and Society
Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.15364