What happens when AI begins to design viruses?
Researchers at Stanford University and the Arc Institute used artificial intelligence to design complete genomes of bacteriophages, resulting in 16 functioning phages from 285 AI-generated designs. This advancement marks a shift in biology, moving AI into the design phase rather than just physical synthesis, which raises significant opportunities for medicine and concerns for biosecurity. The study highlights the dual-edged nature of such technology, where improvements in pandemic preparedness could also lead to increased biosafety risks.