TY - JOUR T1 - Discovery Acceleration vs Epistemic Depth: Speed–Understanding Trade-Offs in Computational Design AU - Bruno Martins AU - Lucas Pereira AU - Renata Azevedo JF - Journal of Computational and Data-Driven Materials Engineering JO - J. Comput. Data-Driven Mater. Eng. SN - 3149-9368 Y1 - 2022 VL - 1 IS - 2 SP - 87 N2 - The field of computational and data-driven materials engineering has witnessed a paradigm shift toward accelerated discovery pipelines, leveraging machine learning and high-throughput computations to navigate vast materials spaces. However, this emphasis on speed often comes at the expense of epistemic depth, where understanding of underlying mechanisms is sidelined by predictive efficiency. This manuscript introduces a conceptual framework that examines the inherent trade-offs between discovery acceleration and epistemic comprehension in computational design ecosystems. By integrating insights from materials informatics, representation learning, and uncertainty quantification, we propose a systems-level architecture that balances rapid iteration with interpretive rigor. The framework delineates how data infrastructures, model architectures, and feedback loops influence the speed–understanding continuum, highlighting computational steering logics that mitigate epistemic risks without compromising efficiency. Implications extend to autonomous discovery systems, inverse design strategies, and multimodal datasets, fostering more resilient AI-guided materials engineering. Ultimately, this approach advocates for hybrid paradigms where acceleration serves as a scaffold for deeper mechanistic insights, potentially transforming how computational tools are deployed in materials research. UR - https://iamrp.net/v699708567 ER -