AI-guided labs are approaching full autonomy
AI-guided labs are approaching full autonomy
https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/features/ai-guided-labs-are-approaching-full-autonomy/
Publish Date: 2026-05-08 11:02:00
Source Domain: www.pharmaceutical-technology.com
Ginkgo CEO Jason Kelly wants to make biopharma experiments “like magic” through automation. Photo by Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
Taking a cue from the automotive industry, the biopharma sector has been increasingly focused on autonomous capabilities as a means towards improved accuracy, reproducibility, and efficiency in research and development (R&D).
Alongside breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) have come significant strides in developing robotic arms and other advanced machinery. AI agents that are able to coordinate and even plan experiments promise to free up human researchers for more abstract, conceptual scientific work while expanding the scale of R&D possible.
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Ginkgo Bioworks is a leading developer of autonomous labs working in the biopharma space. The company’s CEO, Jason Kelly, spoke with Pharmaceutical Technology to explain how these systems work and the potential impact they may have on the industry. He likens Ginkgo’s work in biopharma to what self-driving car companies like Waymo have done for the transport industry, and says “AI scientists” are fast becoming a reality.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Frankie Fattorini (FF): What is the principle behind an autonomous biopharma lab?
Jason Kelly (JK): The analogy I like to give is from transportation. If you…
