Repository of problems worth solving
World Solve is a public institutional repository for identifying real unresolved problems across science, society, health, governance, economics, and local systems. Each entry is intended to be citable, inspectable, and actionable.
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4194Total
4194Open
0Solved
9Humans
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Even advanced AI systems can confidently state things that violate obvious physical logic, like objects falling upward or liquids not filling containers. This gap shows current AI still lacks a genuine model of how the physical world works.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
physical
build
models
reason
reliably
basic
common
sense
even
advanced
philosophy-ethics
whether
haven
resolved
systems
know
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Ransomware groups increasingly target hospitals, schools, and utilities precisely because the disruption pressures victims to pay quickly. Defenses have improved, but attackers are still winning often enough to make this an ongoing crisis.
social-civic-problems
global-unspecified
ransomware
hospitals
haven
solved
stop
attacks
crippling
infrastructure
groups
increasingly
whether
philosophy-ethics
technology-computing
mathematics-logic
make
way
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Modern AI models produce answers without a clear, checkable chain of reasoning, making it hard to know if a correct answer was reached for the right reasons. Verifiable reasoning is essential before AI can be trusted in high-stakes decisions.
philosophy-ethics
global-unspecified
reasoning
don
have
systems
explain
way
humans
verify
modern
models
whether
resolved
determine
agreed
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Big Bang models suggest equal amounts of matter and antimatter, yet the observable Universe is dominated by matter. Precision measurements of CP violation and new physics at high energies could explain the imbalance.
science-space
global-unspecified
matter
antimatter
universe
origin
asymmetry
unresolved
big
bang
models
suggest
know
dark
fully
understand
actually
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
General relativity and quantum field theory conflict at extreme densities, such as inside black holes and at the Big Bang. Progress in string theory, loop quantum gravity, and holographic dualities could lead to a consistent framework.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
quantum
theory
gravity
lack
complete
general
relativity
field
conflict
extreme
mathematics-logic
whether
haven
know
resolved
philosophy-ethics
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Current models rely on limited spectra from a small subset of planets, often with degeneracies in composition and cloud structure. High-resolution time-resolved spectroscopy and improved atmospheric retrieval algorithms are needed.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
structure
internal
evolution
exoplanet
atmospheres
poorly
understood
current
models
rely
science-space
displacement
know
planetary
tracking
responding
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
These millisecond bursts of radio energy come from cosmological distances, but their progenitors are uncertain, ranging from magnetars to exotic compact objects. Coordinated multi-wavelength observations and rapid follow-up networks could identify their sources.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
radio
bursts
nature
fast
remains
mysterious
these
millisecond
energy
come
science-space
resolved
whether
know
philosophy-ethics
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Oscillation experiments show mixing but leave ordering and scale uncertain. Next-generation beta-decay and cosmological probes can answer these questions.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
mass
scale
neutrino
hierarchy
absolute
not
fully
resolved
oscillation
experiments
society-governance
without
know
science-space
whether
philosophy-ethics
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Turbulence controls transport and heating but remains mathematically challenging. Laboratory plasma experiments and numerical advances are needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
turbulence
not
fully
understand
astrophysical
plasmas
controls
transport
heating
but
philosophy-ethics
whether
mathematics-logic
haven
know
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
The information paradox and firewall hypotheses highlight tension between quantum mechanics and relativity. Advances in quantum information theory and holography may clarify.
science-space
global-unspecified
quantum
information
role
black-hole
physics
unresolved
paradox
firewall
hypotheses
highlight
technology-computing
whether
haven
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
infrastructure
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Microscopic laws are time-symmetric, yet macroscopic phenomena exhibit irreversibility. Deeper understanding of entropy and quantum measurement could help.
science-space
global-unspecified
nature
time
arrow
fundamental
physics
remains
debated
microscopic
laws
time-symmetric
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
haven
resolved
yet
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Running couplings suggest possible metastability of the vacuum. Improved measurements of Higgs and top masses refine stability assessments.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
not
know
whether
standard
model
stable
very
high
energies
running
philosophy-ethics
haven
resolved
possible
don
every
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Formation flying for interferometry demands extreme precision. Advances in control theory and sensor technology are needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
control
precise
spacecraft
formations
large
space
telescopes
challenging
formation
flying
philosophy-ethics
whether
resolved
determine
haven
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
People may consume enough calories but lack essential vitamins and minerals. Fortification policies and affordable supplements can address this.
health-biology
global-unspecified
but
micronutrient
deficiencies
like
anemia
widespread
often
invisible
people
may
philosophy-ethics
whether
haven
mathematics-logic
resolved
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Women often lack equal rights to own land or make family decisions. Legal reform and enforcement mechanisms are essential.
society-governance
global-unspecified
legal
family
discrimination
persists
property
inheritance
law
women
often
lack
whether
philosophy-ethics
technology-computing
determine
african
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some regions lag far behind others in services and jobs. Place-based policies and investment can rebalance.
local-regional
global-unspecified
regional
disparities
countries
persist
some
regions
lag
far
behind
others
whether
philosophy-ethics
remains
african
resolved
mathematics-logic
Graduates often hold certificates that employers don't value, while industries report shortages of specific technical skills. Employer-linked apprenticeship and skills-matching platforms could close this mismatch.
technology-computing
asia
vocational
training
remains
disconnected
actual
job
market
demand
graduates
economics-resources
global-unspecified
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
resolved
way
Governments in several countries have tightened control over media and online speech, limiting independent journalism and civic discourse. Secure, censorship-resistant publishing platforms could help protect independent reporting.
society-governance
asia
freedom
press
expression
face
growing
restrictions
parts
independent
governments
global-unspecified
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
resolved
haven
mathematics-logic
Ongoing tensions over areas like the South China Sea, Kashmir, and various Central Asian borders create persistent instability risks. Multilateral dispute-resolution frameworks and confidence-building data-sharing mechanisms could reduce tensions.
local-regional
asia
china
border
territorial
disputes
remain
unresolved
flashpoints
several
parts
tensions
rural
persist
south
remains
gaps
african
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
FRBs unleash as much energy in milliseconds as the Sun emits in days, yet their origins—whether magnetars or exotic energetic events—are unconfirmed. Resolving this will yield new insights into extreme astrophysics and cosmic plasma.
science-space
global-unspecified
frbs
exact
physical
trigger
mechanism
fast
radio
bursts
remains
unsolved
mathematics-logic
whether
philosophy-ethics
know
don
resolved
