Is Your Lab Ready for AI? Take This Assessment

From USB drives to unstructured files, fragmented data is holding labs back from AI. We surveyed 100 biotech and pharma IT leaders to uncover the biggest blockers. Take this assessment to gauge your lab’s AI-readiness and get actionable next steps.

Question 1 of 5

How does your lab capture experimental data and results?

(Select one)

🟢

Highly automated. Data from instruments and experiments is captured digitally and fed into databases or ELN/LIMS automatically, with minimal manual transcription.

Great job! Automating data capture ensures you collect complete, accurate datasets while freeing scientists from tedious recording. This improves data integrity and reproducibility. Maintaining these automated pipelines positions your lab to scale up experiments and trust the data for AI analysis.

🟡

Semi-automated. We utilize digital tools for some data capture (e.g. certain instruments export data to a system), but other data still gets entered by hand.

You have a foothold in automation, but expanding it will pay off. Even partial manual entry introduces opportunities for error and delay. In fact, manual data handling is vulnerable to human error and inefficiency, so increasing automation will improve data quality​. Consider gradually equipping more instruments with data connectors or using lab automation software to reduce manual steps.

🔴

Heavily manual. Scientists often record readings in notebooks or Excel, then copy files via email or USB; very little is captured automatically.

A manual approach is time-consuming and error-prone, and it leaves valuable data uncaptured. Many labs are now focused on automating data collection at every source to avoid these issues. Start small: pick a critical instrument or assay and set up an automated data capture workflow. This will save time (no more re-typing or chasing files) and produce more reliable data for analysis.

Question 2 of 5

How do you typically find historical instrument data in your lab?

Question 3 of 5

How is metadata typically captured and stored in your lab?

Question 4 of 5

How well is data strategy aligned with clear value metrics in your organization?

Question 5 of 5

What types of automated or statistical analysis are part of your current workflows?

Book a demo or learn more

The data you already have, trapped in disconnected lab instruments and app silos, can power automation, FAIR data integrity, and a rich foundation for AI. Get a demo or expert advice on how Ganymede can support your data strategy.

RESULTS

How AI-Ready Is Your Lab?

🟢  Mostly Green

Your lab is AI-ready! You have strong data practices and infrastructure in place. Leverage this momentum: consider advanced automation tools or AI-driven platforms to further accelerate R&D. You might explore thought-leadership whitepapers for cutting-edge use cases or even schedule a Ganymede demo to see how to push your capabilities further. Keep striving for innovation, as you’re well positioned to capitalize on AI opportunities immediately.

🟡  Mixed

(a mix of Yellow/Green with some Red)

Your lab has potential to be AI-ready, but there are a few gaps to address. You’re doing some things right (capitalize on those strengths!), but other areas need improvement before you can fully embrace AI. We recommend working through an AI-readiness checklist – for example, ensure your data is centralized, clean, and tagged with metadata, and invest in team training where needed. Strengthening data hygiene and consistency will pay off. With incremental changes, you can quickly elevate your lab’s capability. Focus on those weak spots now, and you’ll unlock more value from your data (and future AI tools) moving forward.

🔴  Mostly Red

Your lab is not yet ready for AI – and that’s okay. The good news is you’ve identified foundational areas to improve. Start with the basics: establish a centralized data infrastructure (so all your experiment data isn’t scattered), and implement metadata tagging and standard operating procedures for data capture. These steps will create order from chaos, turning that “data swamp” into a usable lake. As you get your data house in order, take advantage of learning resources – for instance, Ganymede’s guides and webinars on lab data management can help your team build competency. By focusing on core data practices now, you’ll build a strong foundation and be ready to tackle AI and automation in the future. Remember, every lab begins this journey somewhere – and you’re now pointed in the right direction.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

State of Scientific Data Management

Ganymede surveyed 100 IT leaders across biotech and pharma to benchmark how teams are managing their lab data, what tools they’re using, and where

In this report, you’ll learn:

  • Why metadata, integration, and standardization are top priorities in labs today and beyond

  • How labs are preparing their data infrastructure for automation and AI

  • Where most organizations still fall short on FAIR data practices

1. State of Scientific Data Management Report. Ganymede commissioned Zogby Analytics to conduct this survey in spring 2024. On behalf of Ganymede, Zogby administered 30 data-related questions to 100 IT decision makers and leaders across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.