Artificial Intelligence is no longer limited to writing reports or analyzing data—it is now performing real scientific experiments. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has developed an AI agent called AILA (Artificially Intelligent Lab Assistant) that can autonomously conduct scientific research, marking a major breakthrough in experimental science. Developed in collaboration with researchers from Denmark and Germany, AILA’s first successful study has been published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications. The research focuses on automating Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)—one of the most complex and sensitive tools used in material science at the nanoscale.
According to the IIT Delhi research team, tasks that previously took scientists nearly 24 hours—such as optimizing microscope parameters for high-resolution, noise-free images—can now be completed by AILA in just 7–10 minutes. The AI agent can control laboratory instruments, make real-time decisions during experiments, collect data, and independently analyze results. However, challenges remain. Researchers noted safety concerns, as AI agents can occasionally deviate from instructions. The study emphasizes that excelling at answering scientific questions does not automatically translate into conducting flawless research.
