IIT Delhi Researchers Develop AI Agent ‘AILA’ Capable of Conducting Real Scientific Experiments

New Delhi. : Researchers at IIT Delhi, in collaboration with institutions from Denmark and Germany, have developed an advanced AI agent named AILA (Artificially Intelligent Lab Assistant) that can independently conduct real-world scientific experiments, marking a major leap in AI-driven laboratory automation.

The breakthrough study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrates that AILA can autonomously operate an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)—one of the most intricate and sensitive instruments used in materials science research. Unlike conventional AI tools that assist with writing or data analysis, AILA is capable of designing experiments, controlling laboratory equipment, making real-time decisions, and analysing results without human intervention.

According to Indrajeet Mandal, the first author of the study and a PhD scholar at IIT Delhi, tasks that earlier required an entire day of manual optimisation can now be completed in just 7–10 minutes using AILA. The AI agent significantly accelerates research workflows while maintaining precision and reliability.

Faculty members at IIT Delhi highlighted that operating an AFM typically requires years of training and deep expertise in nanoscale physics and surface interactions. AILA’s ability to master such skills autonomously represents a paradigm shift in experimental science, enabling faster discoveries and more efficient use of laboratory infrastructure.

The research also revealed challenges, including the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world experimentation, and raised important safety considerations, underscoring the need for robust safeguards as AI-driven laboratories become more common.

This development aligns closely with India’s AI for Science vision and recent government initiatives under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to promote AI-led research. Experts believe that technologies like AILA could democratize access to advanced experimental tools, allowing institutions with limited infrastructure to conduct cutting-edge scientific research and positioning India as a global leader in autonomous experimental science. 

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