AI creates 16 new viruses from scratch (www.cnn.com)

Researchers at Stanford University and the Arc Institute have made headlines by using an AI program called Evo to synthesize 16 new viral genomes from scratch. Unlike any known natural viruses, these bacteriophages specifically target E. coli bacteria and show promise in overcoming antibiotic resistance—a significant development given the alarming rise in drug-resistant infections. The AI was trained on genetic sequences from diverse biological sources to understand evolutionary constraints, leading to innovations that could take natural evolution millions of years to produce. This breakthrough could pave the way for advanced phage therapies that are adaptive and resilient against rapidly evolving bacterial pathogens. While the research offers exciting possibilities for medical applications, it also raises substantial biosafety and biosecurity concerns. Experts warn that the ability to generate viral genomes using generative AI introduces risks, particularly regarding potential misuse in creating pathogens that could infect humans or other organisms. The authors of a corresponding commentary in *Science* stress the importance of careful governance and responsible development, especially when facing the possibility of generating eukaryote-infecting pathogens. Despite these concerns, the researchers maintain that the biosafety risk associated with their work is lower than with other AI applications, given that each generated virus must be individually tested.