Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter to explore the universe with the latest on fascinating discoveries and scientific advancements. The ancient Herculaneum scrolls, which survived the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, are too fragile to unroll and nearly illegible. However, AI and high-resolution X-rays have enabled researchers to decode over 2, 000 characters from these scrolls, revealing the first full passages. Found in a building linked to Julius Caesar's father-in-law, the scrolls offer a unique glimpse into ancient Rome and Greece. The Vesuvius Challenge, a competition to expedite this process, aims to unlock 90% of four scrolls by 2024 by using AI to virtually flatten the documents and distinguish the ink from carbonized papyri. AI, recognized as a significant scientific tool, has advanced rapidly, as seen in its application in areas like hiring, policing, and loan approvals, despite risks of replicating bias. AI's impact on research is profound, with more peer-reviewed papers utilizing AI tools and scientists recognizing their importance. Yet, there's a concern about the reproducibility of AI-driven research due to the opaque nature of AI algorithms.

AI's potential is highlighted in various fields: understanding animal communication, aiding archaeological discoveries, and solving biological challenges. AI has helped decode the patterns of sperm whale calls, revealing new insights into their communication, although the meanings remain elusive. Researchers believe interactive experimentation and behavior observation could unlock their syntax. AI is also enhancing archaeology, such as identifying new Nazca geoglyphs in Peru. Despite some inaccuracies, AI significantly aids discoveries in remote and challenging locations. In biology, AI like AlphaFold predicts protein structures, accelerating progress in multiple science fields, although it can't yet predict effects of protein mutations. Researchers anticipate AI’s role in mapping human cells and discovering new drugs, underscoring its transformative influence on scientific exploration.