THIS A.I. JUST CREATED VIRUSES NOT FOUND IN NATURE

Scientists trained an artificial intelligence model on extensive libraries of DNA and asked it to generate recipes for viral genomes. The model produced 16 viable viruses that have never been observed in nature, according to a New York Times report.

The New York Times notes that the AI was trained on DNA from known viruses, enabling it to create unprecedented designs. The BBC confirms that the viruses were successfully synthesized and are brand‑new. The Guardian highlights safety concerns, warning that the dual‑use potential of AI‑generated pathogens could pose significant risks.

This is the first documented instance of machine learning used to design de‑novo viral genomes, raising ethical and security questions about the future of synthetic biology. Researchers caution that such advances could facilitate both beneficial medical research and malicious use.

• AI model trained on DNA libraries produced 16 viable viral genomes.
• None of the new viruses have natural counterparts.
• BBC confirms successful synthesis of brand‑new viruses.
• Guardian expresses biosafety and dual‑use concerns.
• First known use of AI to design viruses from scratch.

Read the original source for full detail available at NYT > Top Stories src