First A submission (AAMAS): how much theory is enough when your experiments went sideways? [D]

Explain Like I'm Normal

A PhD candidate is struggling with their first A* conference submission because their experimental results only partially support their mathematical theory. This highlights the common 'reality gap' in AI research where theoretical robustness doesn't always translate to messy, real-world neural network behavior. The community debate centers on whether to publish honest boundary conditions or force-fit a perfect narrative.