Researchers at the ARC Institute in California have achieved a remarkable scientific breakthrough: using artificial intelligence to create living viruses.
According to The New York Times, they used artificial intelligence to create living viruses that do not exist in nature.
The team relied on an artificial intelligence model called “Evo.”
It was trained to analyze the DNA sequences of approximately two million viruses. The model then generated about 700,000 hypothetical genetic designs.
The scientists tested 285 genomes in the laboratory, 16 of which successfully formed viable viruses.
These viruses were also able to infect E. coli bacteria and replicate within them.
The new viruses resemble a virus from the phage family that attacks bacteria and does not target humans.
The researchers believe that the technology may help in the future to develop treatments against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
It could also support genetic research and vaccine development.
However, biosecurity experts warn of the potential for these capabilities to be misused.
Therefore, scientists stress the need to establish strict ethical and legal controls to keep pace with rapid developments.
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