Editorial: The role of theory today?

According to common understanding, knowledge emerges when information meets theory. But given AI's new capabilities for machine integration of mass data, do we even need theories anymore? This was the question that motivated our conference on the role of theory, which resulted in this book. We begin our editorial with a look at the concept of theory, and will see that when we speak of theory we should also touch on other issues such as truth and the scientific practice of peer review. Overall, the contributions show that theory is indispensable as part of what has now become a set of professionalized scientific practices. In this context, and on our own behalf, we will conclude with a brief discussion of the responsible role of editors.