We integrate innovations in both manipulation by light and manipulation of light, augmented by artificial intelligence, to advance spectroscopy, microscopy, and mechanoscopy. Using standard optical microscopy, combined with optical rotation and machine-learning-based image analysis, we achieve high-resolution volumetric imaging and accurate classification of organisms. Our mechanoscopy tools, including adhesion frequency assays, quantify dynamic cell-cell interactions, cell-substrate adhesion, and receptor-ligand binding forces in biocompatible environments with controlled geometry, and reveal their correlation with biochemical organization and signaling. In addition, we develop chiroptical spectroscopy systems for label-free, highly sensitive enantiodiscrimination.