Stanford University Uses AI to Design New Viruses, Raising Biosafety Concerns
Researchers at Stanford University have utilized artificial intelligence to design 16 new viruses, specifically bacteriophages that target E. coli bacteria. This development, published in the journal Science, marks the first time AI has been used to design complete viral genomes. The AI models, Evo1 and Evo2, were trained on millions of genomes to generate these genetic blueprints. The research aims to develop new treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections. However, the breakthrough has raised significant concerns about biosafety and biosecurity, as experts warn of the potential for creating harmful viruses. The research was conducted in a secure lab with safeguards to ensure the technology is used positively. 
