Beyond Equilibrium: Non-Equilibrium Foundations Should Underpin Generative Processes in Complex Dynamical Systems

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Liu, Jiazhen, Li, Ruikun, Wang, Huandong, Yu, Zihan, Liu, Chang, Ding, Jingtao, Li, Yong
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Liu, Jiazhen
Li, Ruikun
Wang, Huandong
Yu, Zihan
Liu, Chang
Ding, Jingtao
Li, Yong
author_facet Liu, Jiazhen
Li, Ruikun
Wang, Huandong
Yu, Zihan
Liu, Chang
Ding, Jingtao
Li, Yong
contents This position paper argues that next-generation non-equilibrium-inspired generative models will provide the essential foundation for better modeling real-world complex dynamical systems. While many classical generative algorithms draw inspiration from equilibrium physics, they are fundamentally limited in representing systems with transient, irreversible, or far-from-equilibrium behavior. We show that non-equilibrium frameworks naturally capture non-equilibrium processes and evolving distributions. Through empirical experiments on a dynamic Printz potential system, we demonstrate that non-equilibrium generative models better track temporal evolution and adapt to non-stationary landscapes. We further highlight future directions such as integrating non-equilibrium principles with generative AI to simulate rare events, inferring underlying mechanisms, and representing multi-scale dynamics across scientific domains. Our position is that embracing non-equilibrium physics is not merely beneficial--but necessary--for generative AI to serve as a scientific modeling tool, offering new capabilities for simulating, understanding, and controlling complex systems.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2505_18621
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Beyond Equilibrium: Non-Equilibrium Foundations Should Underpin Generative Processes in Complex Dynamical Systems
Liu, Jiazhen
Li, Ruikun
Wang, Huandong
Yu, Zihan
Liu, Chang
Ding, Jingtao
Li, Yong
Computational Engineering, Finance, and Science
This position paper argues that next-generation non-equilibrium-inspired generative models will provide the essential foundation for better modeling real-world complex dynamical systems. While many classical generative algorithms draw inspiration from equilibrium physics, they are fundamentally limited in representing systems with transient, irreversible, or far-from-equilibrium behavior. We show that non-equilibrium frameworks naturally capture non-equilibrium processes and evolving distributions. Through empirical experiments on a dynamic Printz potential system, we demonstrate that non-equilibrium generative models better track temporal evolution and adapt to non-stationary landscapes. We further highlight future directions such as integrating non-equilibrium principles with generative AI to simulate rare events, inferring underlying mechanisms, and representing multi-scale dynamics across scientific domains. Our position is that embracing non-equilibrium physics is not merely beneficial--but necessary--for generative AI to serve as a scientific modeling tool, offering new capabilities for simulating, understanding, and controlling complex systems.
title Beyond Equilibrium: Non-Equilibrium Foundations Should Underpin Generative Processes in Complex Dynamical Systems
topic Computational Engineering, Finance, and Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.18621