Researchers create new AI-powered scientific assistant to accelerate the scientific process
Researchers at the University of Cambridge, the Flatiron Institute, and the Autonomous University of Barcelona, have published a paper on Danario suggesting that it could accelerate the scientific process.
Denario uses a series of different AI agents, with each specializing in a different task. While Denario can be used to complete the research process end-to-end, the agents can also be used individually for specific steps.
“Sometimes the most interesting thing is the idea, because maybe it’s a new idea that hasn’t been explored,” explains Dr Francisco Villaescusa-Navarro from the Flatiron Institute and one of the tool’s primary developers. “Sometimes it’s a new method that’s never been applied to a certain dataset. There are many ways Denario can help expand the way we think and point us in new directions.”
However, the team also stresses that Denario cannot be a replacement for scientists and must be reviewed by humans as currently only one in every ten outputs yields interesting insights - and some include fabricated data.
The team say they are hoping for an open discussion about the use of Denario and other similar tools, including on the ethical considerations and questions of copyright and authorship.
“Denario can pull ideas from other fields that maybe a scientist is less familiar with and would never have considered,” adds Dr Pablo Villanueva Domingo from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Villaescusa-Navarro. “That interdisciplinary nature is very exciting.”
