Advances in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are leading to a rise of autonomous biopharma labs—entities that can undertake biomedical research and development (R&D) with greater precision, consistency, and efficiency.

Broadly, autonomous labs are comprised of automated machinery—self-loading bioreactors, robotic arms—guided by AI agents. In a previous feature, Pharmaceutical Technology explored pharma’s interest in autonomous labs to slash the time and costs of drug development, and how this technology may redefine researchers’ roles.

In the latest episode of GlobalData Media podcasts in Healthcare, Pharmaceutical Technology reporter Frankie Fattorini speaks with Jason Kelly, CEO of leading autonomous lab developer Ginkgo Bioworks, to discuss progress in the space and how autonomous labs may redefine the role of human researchers in biopharma. In his view, ‘AI scientists’ will not replace humans, but rather shift researchers’ focus to the more abstract, overarching questions guiding R&D.