AI just created viruses from scratch
Researchers at Stanford University and the Arc Institute have successfully used AI models to generate functional viral genomes from scratch. While this breakthrough could lead to new treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it raises significant concerns regarding biosecurity and the lack of governance for AI-generated biological agents.
Why it matters
This development marks a major shift in synthetic biology, highlighting the urgent need for safety protocols as AI capabilities in genetic engineering outpace current regulations.
TL;DR: For the first time ever, scientists say they’ve taught AI to create brand-new viruses . The breakthrough could offer a new route for treating infections that antibiotics can’t touch, but you can probably guess the downsides…
What happened: In a new study published in Science yesterday, researchers at Stanford University and the Arc Institute showed that they used AI to write new viral genomes—first by teaching it to recognize the DNA structure of natural viruses, then asking it for blueprints that don’t exist. The team’s AI models, Evo 1 and Evo 2, trained on a massive library of genetic data, then specifically on viruses related to Phi X-174, a natural virus that only infects the E. coli bacteria.
Of the 700,000 potential viruses generated by Evo, nearly 300 were built in the lab, and 16 turned out to be viable. (Some multiplied even faster than Phi X-174.)
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