SPring-8-II Access Framework for User-Centric and AI-Enabled Photon Science: Toward Integrated User Support Connecting SPring-8-II, SACLA, and NanoTerasu

This strategic discussion paper proposes a user-centric and AI-enabled access framework for the SPring-8-II era. It treats SPring-8-II not only as a major source upgrade, but also as an opportunity to redesign how Japan’s photon science infrastructure supports scientific discovery, industrial innovation, data-intensive research, and national strategic missions. The paper argues for a transition from facility-first access, in which users must understand institutional and beamline boundaries in advance, to question-first access, in which users begin from their scientific or industrial objectives and are guided toward appropriate facilities, beamlines, access routes, consultation pathways, and data-support workflows. A central element is a proposed Photon Science Portal, supported by curated facility portfolios, retrieval-augmented AI guidance, and accountable human expertise. The discussion emphasizes that AI should support navigation, proposal preparation, preliminary screening, safety and feasibility checks, and knowledge reuse, but should not replace peer review, safety approval, beamline-scientist judgement, or formal institutional decision-making. The paper also discusses data governance, confidentiality, intermediate-disclosure access, remote and mail-in workflows, international user support, and multi-facility coordination among SPring-8-II, SACLA, NanoTerasu, PF/PF-AR, and domestic regional facilities. This document is an author-prepared discussion paper for international dialogue and does not represent an official policy decision of RIKEN, JASRI, MEXT, or any facility-governance body.