Can Human Medicinal Chemists Add Value?

Jim Collins recounts a head-to-head test where an expert outperformed a synthesizability model and argues for human-in-the-loop feedback to improve models.

Transcript

chevron_right

Play full episode

chevron_right

Transcript

Episode notes

Jim Collins, Termeer Professor at MIT, unveils his AI-powered project that has discovered several new antibiotics, effective against resistant strains and often employing entirely new mechanisms of action. He details how their refined multi-step AI process, even with small datasets and modest compute, can efficiently screen vast chemical spaces to identify promising drug candidates. This breakthrough offers a realistic and affordable path to tackling the staggering antibiotic resistance crisis, which currently claims over a million lives annually. Collins argues this practical application of AI represents a transformative win for humanity, often overlooked amidst the focus on AGI.

Sponsors:

AssemblyAI:

AssemblyAI is the speech-to-text API for building reliable Voice AI apps, offering high accuracy, low latency, and scalable infrastructure. Start building today with $50 in free credits at https://assemblyai.com/cognitive

Claude:

Claude is the AI collaborator that understands your entire workflow and thinks with you to tackle complex problems like coding and business strategy. Sign up and get 50% off your first 3 months of Claude Pro at https://claude.ai/tcr

Linear:

Linear is the system for modern product development. Nearly every AI company you've heard of is using Linear to build products. Get 6 months of Linear Business for free at: https://linear.app/tcr

AGNTCY:

AGNTCY is dropping code, specs, and services.

Visit AGNTCY.org.

Visit Outshift Internet of Agents

Shopify:

Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, handling 10% of U.S. e-commerce. With hundreds of templates, AI tools for product descriptions, and seamless marketing campaign creation, it's like having a design studio and marketing team in one. Start your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/cognitive

PRODUCED BY:

https://aipodcast.ing

CHAPTERS:

(00:00) About the Episode

(04:30) Introducing Jim Collins

(05:26) Antibiotic Resistance Primer

(14:04) The Antibiotic Market Failure

(18:45) AI Discovers Halicin (Part 1)

(18:51) Sponsors: AssemblyAI Ad 1 | Claude

(22:11) AI Discovers Halicin (Part 2)

(30:58) The Economics of Discovery

(39:10) Inside the AI Architecture (Part 1)