AI Accelerates Scientific Discovery with Autonomous Labs and Superintelligent Research

On March 24, 2025, IBM highlighted how artificial intelligence is reshaping scientific research, focusing on the rise of “scientific superintelligence” powered by companies like Lila Sciences. These new systems combine generative AI and robotics in autonomous labs, capable of generating hypotheses, running thousands of experiments simultaneously, and analyzing results with minimal human involvement. This model promises to compress decades of scientific progress into just a few years.

Lila Sciences, backed by $200 million in funding, has already demonstrated success, such as discovering novel catalysts for green hydrogen production within months—work that traditionally would take a decade. The company sees scaling experimentation as key to AI’s advantage, not just developing larger models.

While AI's rapid advancements raise hopes for breakthroughs in medicine, materials, and energy, they also spark debate about the future role of human scientists. Some, like IBM's Payel Das, believe AI will augment human creativity. Others, like Hugging Face’s Thomas Wolf, warn that true breakthroughs require human intuition that AI might not replicate.

The technology’s power also brings ethical concerns. Experts caution that without strong oversight, AI could generate harmful outcomes like bioweapons or toxic materials. IBM and Lila emphasize the need for governance and rigorous validation before applying AI-generated discoveries.

Ultimately, the future of science may depend on how society balances AI's capabilities with human insight, safety, and ethics.