Building an AI-Driven Autonomous Lab for Life Science R&D | Discovery Engines

<p>Jason Kelly, CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks, believes the future of life science R&D is autonomous, starting with the 52-cart lab he and his team have built in Boston. In this episode, I sit down with Jason to explore Ginkgo's autonomous biology lab, its collaboration with OpenAI, the POTUS-backed Genesis Mission, and where autonomous physical systems could take science next.</p><p>Hosted by Nabil Laoudji. See below for episode links, chapters, and our socials. 🙏🙌</p><p><strong>Episode Links:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.ginkgo.bio/" target="_blank">Ginkgo Bioworks</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrkelly2/" target="_blank">Jason Kelly's LinkedIn</a></li> <li><a href="https://openai.com/index/gpt-5-lowers-protein-synthesis-cost/" target="_blank">OpenAI x Ginkgo Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Collaboration</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/11/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-unveils-the-genesis-missionto-accelerate-ai-for-scientific-discovery/" target="_blank">Genesis Mission to Accelerate AI for Scientific Discovery</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.emsl.pnnl.gov/science/instruments-resources/anaerobic-microbial-phenotyping-platform-amp2" target="_blank">PNNL's Anaerobic Microbial Phenotyping Platform (AMP2)</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.slas.org/" target="_blank">Society for Lab Automation and Screening</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.globaldata.com/media/business-fundamentals/large-pharma-drug-licensing-from-china-reaches-record-high-at-28-in-2024-reveals-globaldata/" target="_blank">GlobalData Report: Large Pharma Drug Licensing from China</a></li> </ul><p><strong>Chapters:</strong></p><ul> <li>(00:00) - Preview</li> <li>(01:54) - Jurassic Park and the Value of Storytelling in Science</li> <li>(04:50) - What Is the Department of Energy's AMP2 at PNNL?</li> <li>(07:17) - How Autonomous Labs Can Be Used to Run Experiments</li> <li>(11:49) - Principles of the Autonomous Lab (Waymo Analogy)</li> <li>(17:12) - Project Genesis, Competing with China in Scientific Discovery</li> <li>(23:42) - Reindustrializing America via Automation</li> <li>(37:03) - OpenAI Designing and Running Bio Experiments</li> <li>(47:17) - Advice to Frontier Labs Designing AI Intelligence for Science</li> <li>(49:24) - Ginkgo Autonomous Lab Tour</li> <li>(1:00:38) - OpenAI's Interface With Ginkgo</li> <li>(1:02:51) - Lab Scheduler Platform</li> <li>(1:16:19) - Advice for Deep Tech Startups</li> <li>(1:22:22) - Advice for Scientists and Founders Thinking About Where to Focus in Biotech</li> <li>(1:25:18) - How Research Labs Could Better Collaborate and Communicate Results</li> <li>(1:29:23) - Advantages and Challenges of Going Public</li> <li>(1:32:14) - Public Perception of Ginkgo</li> <li>(1:33:57) - How Ginkgo's Business Model Has Changed</li></ul><p><strong>Connect With Us:</strong></p><ul> <li><a href="https://www.discoveryengines.co/" target="_blank">Our Newsletter</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/nabilwrites" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/discoveryengines/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li> <li><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/nabilwrites.bsky.social" target="_blank">Bluesky</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.yesandlabs.com/contact/" target="_blank">Feedback or questions</a></li></ul><p><strong>Platforms:</strong></p><ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@discoveryengines" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li> <li><a href="https://apple.co/40sQCu9" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a></li> <li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wfOlAAqXXaIrXRwO5T71R" target="_blank">Spotify Podcasts</a></li></ul>