Can AI replace scientists in labs? IIT Delhi’s AILA shows the way

New Delhi: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have developed an Artificial Intelligence Lab Assistant (AILA), an advanced AI agent capable of independently designing, conducting and analysing scientific experiments without human intervention.

Developed in collaboration with research partners in Denmark and Germany, AILA can autonomously operate complex laboratory equipment such as an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), make real-time experimental decisions and analyse outcomes. Tasks that earlier took researchers an entire day can now be completed in 7 to 10 minutes, IIT Delhi said in a statement.

While existing AI tools like ChatGPT have largely been limited to writing assistance, data analysis and question-answering, IIT Delhi researchers said AILA goes a step further by entering physical laboratories and executing experiments end-to-end, much like a trained scientist.

“AILA helps me with my daily experimental tasks and speeds up my research progress significantly. Previously, it would take a full day to optimise microscope parameters for high-resolution, noise-free images. Now, the same task is completed in just 7-10 minutes,” said Indrajeet Mandal, a PhD scholar at the School of Interdisciplinary Research, IIT Delhi.

“Previously, AI could only help you write about science. Now it can do science -- designing experiments, running them on real equipment, collecting data, and interpreting results,” said Prof. N. M. Anoop Krishnan, Civil Engineering and Yardi School of AI, IIT Delhi.

Highlighting the complexity of the breakthrough, Prof. Nitya Nand Gosvami from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, IIT Delhi, said:
"Operating an Atomic Force Microscope requires a deep understanding of nanoscale physics, surface interactions, and real-time feedback control -- skills that typically take researchers years to master."

He added that AILA autonomously performing such tasks marks a paradigm shift in experimental science and aligns with India’s AI for Science initiative.

The development comes as the Union government has announced significant funding through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to boost AI-driven research nationwide.