Polymer Genome in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract: AI is redefining the landscape of polymer science. Although numerous AI applications have been introduced in this field, the roles of polymer encoding strategies and different applications of AI models in polymer design remain insufficiently understood. Here, we build upon the foundation of polymer databases to critically examine the performance and applicability of current encoding strategies across different use cases. We then focus on two major AI application domains, property prediction and inverse design, to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses and suitable scenarios for various model architectures. Finally, we emphasize the significance of the online platforms for promoting data accessibility and accelerating the migration from experience-based discovery toward AI-driven innovation in polymer science and engineering. Through these discussions, we aim to provide practical guidance for future research and development in AI-assisted polymer design.