Chinese AI Scientist Completes 11,382-Step Experiment in 203 Hours
Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University built AutoDNA, an AI system based on Google Gemini 2.5 Pro that designs experiments and controls robotic arms and more than 20 lab instruments. In a DNA data-storage experiment published in Nature, it carried out 11,382 steps over 203 hours, raising DNA synthesis success to 97.8% and cutting synthesis time 3.2-fold. It matters because it moves AI in science from planning experiments to actually running them, though 6 of 14 equipment errors still needed human help.
SOURCES
- Hacker News (AI)2026-11-05 14:37