Scientists often use sophisticated technology, so an AI tool designed to help them begin new investigations may see broad take-up among the community. It’s also a hint of how many other workplaces will change via AI.

Google’s AI tool acts as a virtual collaborator for human scientists, delivered after tests were conducted by researchers at Stanford University in the United States and Imperial College London. The creation deploys advanced reasoning to work through vast amounts of literature to produce novel hypotheses.

Built on Google’s Gemini AI assistant, the tool promises to make research faster and more efficient. But the company acknowledges the need for safeguards against misuse.