IIT Delhi Develops A New Autonomous AI Lab Assistant

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Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi recently launched AILA (Artificially Intelligent Lab Assistant), an AI system that conducts scientific experiments with minimal human intervention. 

The team demonstrated the system controlling an Atomic Force Microscope, which is a highly complex nanotechnology instrument, where it made real-time decisions during experiments and analysed results without manual supervision.

AILA operates through a simple chat-based interface where researchers provide instructions in plain English. The system translates these instructions into executable code and independently designs, conducts, and manages experiments. Experiments typically taking hours or days now complete within minutes.

The system uses an agentic AI framework designed to mimic the reasoning and decision-making abilities of a human scientist. It maintains direct control of scientific instruments, interprets live experimental data, and adjusts procedures based on results in real time.

By automating routine and time-intensive experimental procedures, AILA can reduce experiment completion time while optimizing use of skilled manpower and laboratory resources. According to a professor at IIT Delhi, technologies like AILA have the potential to transform India's scientific ecosystem.

Unlike earlier AI applications that performed specific tasks within predefined parameters, agentic systems make independent decisions and adapt based on real-world outcomes.