Emergence currently investigates selected questions across two overlapping lines:
- Mathematical and computational theory and methods: mathematics; artificial intelligence and machine learning, including reinforcement learning; optimization; and scientific computing.
- Physical science and engineering: quantum science and technology; many-body and materials physics; electronic devices; and electrical engineering.
These lines distinguish approaches from subjects, not theory from application. Theoretical work on quantum, many-body, materials, or device problems also belongs to the first line, and a Briefing, Review, or Concept may focus on either line or connect them.