OpenAI Launches BioBasicsBench to Test AI on Wet-Lab Science

OpenAI launched BioBasicsBench on November 6, 2026, a benchmark of 100 tasks using raw, messy wet-lab data-gels, microscopy, videos-to test AI on real experimental ambiguity. Developed with Ligo, it requires models to interpret evidence and recognize insufficient data. GPT-6 Astra scored 66.7% at highest reasoning, outperforming GPT-5.6 Sol (43.8%) while using fewer tokens. Astra notably identified ambiguous signals in a viability assay where older models overinterpreted results.