The Role of Rigor in Artificial Intelligence

arXiv:2607.03634v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) has achieved extraordinary capabilities despite lacking many of the conceptual and scientific foundations associated with mature disciplines. Unlike traditional sciences, where reliable technology typically emerges from theoretical understanding, modern AI has progressed largely through performance-driven iteration and "alchemical" experimentation. This tension motivates a systematic analysis of AI through the lens of r...