Sapio Sciences, a lab informatics platform focusing on “science-aware” AI, has unveiled research indicating significant dissatisfaction among scientists regarding electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) and AI tools in contemporary laboratory settings. The study, which surveyed 150 scientists from U.S. and European labs across various sectors including biopharma R&D and clinical diagnostics, highlights a troubling trend of frustration with existing lab software that leads to repeated experiments, inefficient data utilization, and an increasing dependence on unauthorized shadow AI.
Despite considerable investments in digital lab technology, the findings reveal that only 62% of scientists feel their ELNs support efficient workflow, while a mere 5% can analyze experimental results without requiring specialist assistance. The lack of effective tools has resulted in nearly two-thirds (65%) of scientists having to repeat experiments due to difficulties in locating or reusing prior results, contributing to unnecessary costs and delays across laboratory teams.
The survey underscores that traditional ELNs are ill-equipped to meet the evolving demands of modern scientific research. A mere 7% of respondents felt their ELN could adapt to new experimental workflows without specialized help, while 56% cited usability issues that complicate their work. Additionally, 51% reported spending excessive time on data import and export tasks, escalating to 81% among scientists based in the U.S. and 72% within pharmaceutical manufacturing contexts. Configuration challenges further exacerbate the situation, with 71% of scientists deeming ELNs difficult to configure or adjust, particularly in pharmaceutical manufacturing, where frustration levels hit 84%.
Mike Hampton, chief commercial officer at Sapio Sciences, commented, “The survey clearly shows a growing mismatch between modern scientific practice and the capabilities of traditional ELNs. Most ELNs were designed as tools that focused on documenting experiments, not actively supporting scientists or guiding next steps.” He emphasized that when scientists are unable to analyze data or build on past experiments without additional assistance, the resultant frustration incurs real costs, wasting resources and hindering scientific discovery.
The limitations of current ELNs have prompted a shift in laboratory behavior, with 45% of scientists reporting their use of public generative AI tools via personal accounts to assist their work. This trend, while offering immediate solutions, raises concerns about security, intellectual property, and compliance risks associated with shadow AI. Sean Blake, Chief Information Officer at Sapio Sciences, noted, “Scientists aren’t turning to public AI because they want to bypass governance. They’re doing it because existing lab tools can’t help them analyze results or determine next steps efficiently.”
As scientists look ahead, they are not seeking merely a means of documenting experiments; instead, they desire interactive, AI-enhanced tools that offer guidance and interpretation. A striking 95% of respondents expressed a preference for conversational, text-based interfaces, and 78% wanted voice interaction. Furthermore, 96% asserted that future ELNs should assist in data interpretation rather than simply capturing it.
Demand for field-specific AI capabilities reflects the specialized needs of different disciplines; for instance, 83% of diagnostics labs and 74% of biopharma R&D professionals prioritize functionalities like retrosynthesis and toxicity prediction. Molecular binding simulations are critical for 71% of biopharma R&D scientists, while genetic sequence optimization is important for 65% of contract research organizations (CROs) and 63% of diagnostics labs.
Rob Brown, head of the scientific office at Sapio Sciences, remarked, “Our research clearly shows that second-generation ELNs have reached the limits of what scientists expect from them.” He added that as they develop the next generation of lab software, the focus will be on AI-enabled analysis and design methods that keep scientists in control while actively supporting their workflows and decision-making processes.
The research findings signal a pivotal moment for lab informatics, suggesting that scientists are not aiming to relinquish control but rather seek AI tools that meaningfully contribute to reasoning and interpretation within regulated laboratory environments. As the landscape of scientific research continues to evolve, the demand for more intuitive and supportive technologies will likely reshape the future of laboratory workflows.
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