GPT-5.2 derives a new result in theoretical physics
Hacker News
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A groundbreaking preprint reveals that GPT-5.2, an advanced AI model, has contributed to a significant discovery in theoretical physics by identifying a new gluon interaction previously thought impossible. The research focuses on gluons, the particles responsible for the strong nuclear force, and challenges long-held assumptions about their behavior. Specifically, the study demonstrates that when one gluon has negative helicity while others have positive helicity, the scattering amplitude does not necessarily vanish as traditionally believed. Instead, under a specific condition known as the half-collinear regime, where gluon momenta align in a precise mathematical way, the amplitude becomes non-zero.
This finding was achieved through a novel collaboration between AI and human researchers. While traditional textbook arguments suggest that such configurations result in zero amplitude, GPT-5.2 Pro proposed a simpler formula for the scattering amplitudes, which were later validated by an internal version of the AI over a 12-hour reasoning process. The resulting equation was confirmed to satisfy key physical constraints, including the Berends-Giele recursion relation and soft theorem, ensuring its validity.
The discovery opens new avenues for research in particle physics and quantum field theory. Beyond gluons, the methodology used in this study is being extended to gravitons, hinting at broader applications in gravitational physics. This breakthrough not only advances our understanding of fundamental interactions but also underscores the potential of AI as a tool for accelerating scientific discovery by simplifying complex calculations and identifying patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The work highlights how AI can complement human intuition and computational power, enabling researchers to explore previously uncharted territories in theoretical physics. By reducing complexity and revealing underlying structures, GPT-5.2 has demonstrated its value as a collaborative tool in scientific research. This development marks an important step toward more efficient and innovative approaches to solving some of the most challenging problems in modern physics.
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/13/2026