This paper describes problems, challenges, and opportunities for intelligen
t simulation of physical systems. Prototype intelligent simulation tools ha
ve been constructed for interpreting massive data sets from physical fields
and for designing engineering systems. We identify the characteristics of
intelligent simulation and describe several concrete application examples.
These applications, which include weather data interpretation, distributed
control optimization, and spatio-temporal diffusion-reaction pattern analys
is, demonstrate that intelligent simulation tools are indispensable for the
rapid prototyping of application programs in many challenging scientific a
nd engineering domains.