http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/01/0114_040114_robot.html#main
General article describing the results of an experiment to use a robot [which was in no way humaniform] to do some of the investigative tasks [hypothesization, experimentation, and interpretation] which human scientists do. The particular field was genetics, and the robot performed effectively. Some proclaim this as the first step in automating science, and others remark that true scientific genius will always be needed.
Again, I think we have heard this argument before. This certainly drives the capacity of IT as an enabler to new levels of ability, and represents a trend well worth watching. Perhaps scientists will join IT workers in the unemployment line!
And the line may get even longer if inventors have to join it -- the following article discusses a computer program called a 'Creativity Machine':
I confess myself a bit skeptical bout this, but on the other hand, it does seem to be the logical outome of work which has been ongoing in the AI field.
A more focussed application, devoted to helping scientists with literature searches, is described here, showing that the impact of IT development does not have to be negative for scientist employment prospects:
Posted by jho at January 22, 2004 12:31 PM