If you’ve ever wished you could talk to your molecular modeling software and have it respond with actions, that moment has arrived. One of the lesser-known but surprisingly handy features of SAMSON AI, the intelligent assistant integrated into the SAMSON molecular design platform, is voice-activated command execution. Whether you’re deep into a protein-ligand exploration or adjusting your visualization for a presentation, being able to vocally trigger actions can speed things up and reduce interface fatigue.
Why use voice commands in molecular modeling?
Working with molecular models often involves repetitive manual tasks: selecting regions of interest, adjusting representations, toggling surfaces, and fine-tuning camera angles. These actions usually require numerous mouse clicks and menu navigation. When performed repeatedly, they interrupt your flow—especially if you’re simultaneously reading papers, writing scripts, or preparing figures.
This is where SAMSON AI’s /do command steps in. In addition to typing commands, you can speak them—making it feel like you’re commanding your own digital research assistant. This approach can be a small change that results in a smoother modeling workflow.
How it works
The /do command lets you instruct SAMSON AI to perform specific actions inside the SAMSON document. Here are a few examples you can speak (or type):
/do zoom to the binding site./do remove water./do select the ligand and apply a licorice model./do erase all surfaces./do select the gaussian surface and make it light blue.
Each of these commands triggers a concrete action in your working molecular environment. And with voice enabled, the process becomes even more immersive. Just say the word “do” followed by your request.
Seeing it in action
SAMSON’s voice command feature is built on a retrieval-augmented agency (RAA) system powered by GPT-5 under the Professional plan. It doesn’t just interpret your command—it incorporates its contextual understanding of SAMSON’s internal functionality and extension capabilities to decide what action to take.
Here’s what it looks like when using voice commands (turn your sound on):
When voice is most useful
Voice commands shine during demonstration settings, teaching labs, or when you’re multitasking—like reading a paper while adjusting a molecular view. They allow you to stay engaged with the content on screen without diverting attention to the UI.
Getting started
Launch SAMSON AI via Interface > Assistant or use the shortcut Ctrl+0 on Windows/Linux or Cmd+0 on Mac. Enable your microphone, and simply say “do” followed by your action. The assistant will interpret your voice and apply the modification directly in your SAMSON document.
Voice commands may not be perfect in noisy environments or with complex phrasing, so typing is always available as a fallback. But for natural, high-frequency tasks, speaking your command out loud can be both satisfying and effective.
Learn more in the official SAMSON AI documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.