Anthropic is operating a lab that conducts biology experiments
techcrunch ·
Anthropic has confirmed that it operates a wet biology lab where its AI models can be used to run physical experiments. The company’s head of life sciences said real laboratory work remains the final test for biological research and that Anthropic is already conducting it. The lab conducts some research itself and works with external partners, but Anthropic has not disclosed its projects and says they are not focused on drug discovery. The company acquired the stealth AI biotech Coefficient Bio in April and appears keen to avoid being seen as competing with pharmaceutical customers and partners. Anthropic also launched a Life Sciences Verification Program to give vetted biology researchers access to its most powerful models. The lab’s activities have drawn attention because they coincide with warnings from Anthropic figures about AI’s potential to cause catastrophic harm, including bioterrorism, prompting criticism from some in the technology industry.
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