### The Graph Brain Project & Big Mathematics
#### Project Overview
The Graph Brain Project is an ambitious initiative focused on revolutionizing mathematical research through automation, large-scale collaboration, and systematic investigation. The project leverages automated discovery software to generate conjectures and solve mathematical problems, advocating for a collaborative approach akin to research labs in other scientific disciplines.
#### Key Components and Objectives
1. **Automated Discovery Software**:
- The software used in the project is designed to generate invariant-relation and property-relation conjectures across various mathematical fields. It aims to produce conjectures that are not implied by existing theorems, thereby advancing mathematical knowledge.
2. **Large-Scale Collaboration**:
- The project promotes forming research groups to tackle specific mathematical problems. These groups utilize automated tools, databases, and systematic approaches to enhance research efficiency and effectiveness.
3. **Systematic Research**:
- By coding numerous graph-theoretic concepts and graphs, the project investigates open problems in graph theory. The modular nature of the experiment allows other researchers to build upon and expand the initial work.
4. **Big Mathematics**:
- This concept involves large, systematic, collaborative research on significant mathematical problems. The aim is to combine collective skills, tools, and results to achieve substantial progress in mathematics.
#### Key Achievements and Goals
- **Conjecture Generation**:
- Automated programs in the project generate and evaluate mathematical expressions, leading to new conjectures and theorems. This approach leverages computational power to exhaustively explore possible conjectures.
- **Collaboration and Network Effects**:
- Researchers from different mathematical sub-fields contribute to and benefit from shared code and data, creating a multiplier effect. The project aims to build extensive code-bases of mathematical knowledge that are easy to use and extend.
- **Historical Context and Motivation**:
- The project draws inspiration from early computer science and AI work, including Turing's ideas on "Intelligent Machinery" and the development of automated theorem proving. It aims to build on this foundation to enhance modern mathematical research.
#### Case Study: Independence Number of Graphs
- **Independence Number**:
- The independence number (stability number) of a graph is the largest set of vertices with no edges between them. This concept is central to graph theory and relates to major problems like the P vs. NP question and Hadwiger’s Conjecture.
- **Bounds and Conjectures**:
- The project has generated new bounds for the independence number of a graph. These conjectures are tested, leading to either proofs or counterexamples, thus advancing mathematical knowledge.
### Academies and Institutions Involved
#### Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
- **Primary Institution**:
- The project is spearheaded by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University. The team is supported by various grants and funding programs, including the Simons Foundation Mathematics and Physical Sciences–Collaboration Grants for Mathematicians Award and VCU’s Presidential Research Inception Program (PRIP).
#### Key Researchers and Contributors
- **Core Team**:
- R. Barden, N. Bushaw, C. Callison, A. Fernandez, B. Harris, I. Holden, C. E. Larson, D. Muncy, C. O’Shea, J. Shive, J. Raines, P. Rana, N. Van Cleemput, B. Ward, and N. Wilcox-Cook.
### Future Directions and Expansion
- **Expansion of Research**:
- The project plans to incorporate more invariants, objects, and properties into the conjecturing program. The goal is to systematically use theoretical knowledge to generate new conjectures that push the boundaries of current mathematical research.
- **Building Collaborative Infrastructure**:
- The project aims to create a robust infrastructure to facilitate large-scale mathematical research. This includes coding, conjecture generation, testing, and proving, all conducted collaboratively.
For further details and insights, you can access the full document: [The Graph Brain Project & Big Mathematics](http://www.people.vcu.edu/~clarson/AC7-GBP-171019.pdf).
If you have any specific questions or need more information, feel free to ask!