This talk will explore how generative AI agents can enable scientific discoveries through three interconnected vignettes. First, James Zou will discuss how generative AI can expand researchers' creativity by designing and experimentally validating new small-molecule drugs. Next, he'll introduce the Virtual Lab—a collaborative team of AI agents conducting in silico research meetings, supported by real-world experiments, to design new nanobodies. Finally, Zou will investigate how language model agents can provide constructive feedback on research projects and peer reviews.

James Zou is an associate professor of Biomedical Data Science and, by courtesy, of CS and EE at Stanford University. He works on advancing the foundations of ML and in-depth scientific and clinical applications. Many of his innovations are widely used in tech and biotech industries. He has received a Sloan Fellowship, an NSF CAREER Award, two Chan-Zuckerberg Investigator Awards, a Top Ten Clinical Achievement Award, several best paper awards, and faculty awards from Google, Amazon, and Adobe. His research has also been profiled in popular press including the NY Times, WSJ, and WIRED.

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