Scientists Use AI to Design New Viruses, Raising Medical Promise and Safety Concerns

Scientists have used generative artificial intelligence to design complete viral genomes, marking a significant milestone in biotechnology research.

The resulting viruses are bacteriophages, which infect bacteria rather than people. Researchers say the approach could eventually contribute to new treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

The work also raises biosecurity concerns. Experts cited by Smithsonian Magazine warn that increasingly capable generative systems could be misused to design harmful pathogens, underscoring the need for safeguards as the technology advances.

Source: Smithsonian Magazine.