Is particle physics dead, dying, or just hard? A decade after the field entered a profound crisis, columnist Natalie Wolchover checks in with particle physicists to assess the current state of the field and the future of particle physics research. The crisis began with the Large Hadron Collider's (LHC) failure to uncover new particles or forces beyond the known ones, despite its massive size and cost. This led to a decrease in news coverage and a shift in focus away from particle physics. However, some particle physicists remain optimistic, citing advancements in data handling using AI and the potential for future colliders like the Future Circular Collider (FCC) and muon colliders to uncover new physics. Others, like Adam Falkowski, are skeptical about the future of colliders and the field's ability to find new particles. The article also explores the impact of AI on particle physics, with some physicists worried that it will replace human researchers. Despite the challenges, the most devoted particle physicists continue to think and look for new physics, and the field remains open to further progress and discovery.
