News Overview
On September 23, U.S. AI company Anthropic announced that its model Claude had “autonomously discovered” a novel CRISPR-like enzyme system in its self-built wet lab. This is the first achievement of the wet lab and a key move for Anthropic to demonstrate the value of AI in scientific research as it prepares for an IPO. The discovery means AI can now independently complete biological discoveries from hypothesis to validation, potentially providing new tool options for gene editing.
Background
The integration of AI and biotechnology is moving toward closed-loop experimentation, and Anthropic’s wet lab was built for this purpose. Previously, large models were mostly limited to digital tasks such as structure prediction, while real experiments still relied on humans; this time Claude autonomously completed the full process from discovery to validation, allowing AI to participate in biological research as an “experimenter.” Anthropic’s IPO preparations also need such hard results to support its valuation. CRISPR once reshaped gene editing; the emergence of a similar enzyme system may fuel an AI-led molecular discovery race, making wet labs a new standard for AI companies.
Deep Dive
Liu Gong believes that Claude’s autonomous discovery of a CRISPR-like enzyme system marks AI’s shift from “predictor” to “discoverer.” Previously, AlphaFold stopped at structure prediction; Claude linked hypothesis, experiment, and validation into a closed loop, like moving from drawing blueprints to being a contractor. This allows AI companies to accumulate biological patents, giving Anthropic’s IPO narrative more room for imagination. But Liu Gong cautions that biosafety and ethical governance will not automatically keep up; they may become even trickier. Liu Gong predicts that within the next two years, wet labs will become the norm at top AI labs. The next key step is the editing efficiency and off-target levels of this enzyme system in human cells, which will be worth more than the discovery itself.
Perspectives
Extended Thinking
- Claude’s “autonomous discovery” experimental loop may redefine AI’s role in scientific research, shifting from tool to collaborator.
- A CRISPR-like enzyme system will strengthen Anthropic’s valuation narrative at the intersection of biotechnology and AI, adding hard-tech credentials for its IPO.
- The implementation of wet labs means AI companies begin to take on heavy assets and biosafety risks; future competition among research platforms will increasingly test engineering and governance capabilities.
Source and Original
This item comes from The Verge AI (published on September 23, 2026, at 18:00:00). This site provides Chinese summaries and commentary on overseas AI news; the original copyright belongs to the original authors.
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