On Monday, Anthropic introduced its AI for Science initiative, designed to expedite scientific research and discovery. The artificial intelligence firm aims to assist researchers engaged in “high-impact scientific projects,” specifically within the domains of biology and life sciences. Selected projects will receive support from Anthropic through complimentary application programming interface (API) credits. This announcement follows the recent launch of the Research feature, an agentic tool in their Claude platform.
Anthropic Unveils AI for Science Programme
In a recent newsroom update, Anthropic elaborated that the AI for Science initiative is backed by the company’s public benefit corporation (PBC). The firm emphasized that generative AI technology has the capacity to assist scientists and researchers in analyzing intricate scientific data, forming hypotheses, designing and simulating experiments, as well as aggregating results to identify actionable insights.
Researchers affiliated with recognized research institutions are invited to apply for the programme. Anthropic has provided a comprehensive application form that must be completed and submitted for eligibility. Once applications are received, they will be evaluated by Anthropic’s team alongside subject matter experts in applicable fields. The company plans to select successful candidates on the first Monday of each month from the pool of applicants.
Shortlisted researchers for the AI for Science programme will be awarded “significant API credits” for Anthropic’s AI models, potentially amounting to $20,000 (approximately Rs. 16,91,400), according to the official rules of the initiative. The selection criteria will consider the researcher’s contributions to the field, the anticipated impact of the research proposal, and the ability of AI to significantly enhance the research process.
Every application will undergo a biosecurity assessment to ensure that the proposed research does not pose risks of advancing harmful applications.
Anthropic articulated that the AI for Science programme aligns with its overarching vision of harnessing AI to create positive value for humanity. The firm is particularly interested in projects focused on deciphering complex biological systems, analyzing genetic information, expediting drug discovery, enhancing agricultural productivity, and other related areas.
