AI just created a virus not found in nature, and scientists are worried
This technique could lead to new treatments for antibiotic-resistant bugs, but some scientists say the technology could be misused
Scientists at Stanford University and the Arc Institute have utilized artificial intelligence to create new viruses that have never been found in nature. This groundbreaking technique could potentially lead to the development of new antimicrobial drugs, but it also raises concerns among researchers. The viruses were generated using the genome of a bacteriophage called ΦX174 as a template, along with two large language models trained on over two million bacteriophage genomes.
Using these models, the scientists were able to generate thousands of new bacteriophage genomes, 16 of which proved viable in killing certain strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While the technology holds promise in combating drug-resistant infections, experts warn of the potential for misuse and the need for stringent oversight measures to prevent such misuse.
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