According to the International homepage, scientists have used a genomic language model to generate the first synthetic viruses, marking a milestone in AI‑driven biotechnology. The breakthrough demonstrates the model’s capability to design viral genetic sequences that could potentially be used to redesign other organisms, such as bacteria.
The synthetic viruses were created using a deep learning system trained on vast amounts of genomic data, enabling it to compose viable viral genomes. While the International homepage highlights the potential for advanced organism design, the Guardian reports that scientists are raising safety concerns as they create viruses designed entirely by AI. The article stresses the need for stringent oversight to prevent misuse of the technology.
AI language models applied to genomics represent a new frontier for synthetic biology, offering unprecedented precision in designing biological agents but also introducing significant biosecurity risks.