AI Creates Germ-Killing Virus: Hope for Cure or Potential Danger?

Scientists have for the first time used artificial intelligence (AI) to create a virus capable of killing bacteria, opening up potential applications in medicine but at the same time raising concerns about unpredictable risks if this technology is abused.

AI creating a virus that kills bacteria is a breakthrough success but also raises a warning of "extreme caution" from scientists in the genomics industry - Photo: AI

A research team in California (USA) used artificial intelligence (AI) to design virus genomes, then synthesized and successfully tested them in the laboratory. The results showed that some of these artificial viruses were capable of infecting and killing bacteria, opening up evidence that generative models can create real, functioning genomes.

Scientists at Stanford University and the Arc Institute in Palo Alto call it “the first generative biodesign of complete genomes.” Jef Boeke, a biologist at NYU Langone Health, sees it as a major step toward AI-designed life.

In the experiment, the team used AI "Evo", a model similar to ChatGPT, to generate 302 complete bacteriophage genomes. When put into a test system with E. coli bacteria, 16 of the samples became viruses capable of replicating and killing bacteria.

Brian Hie, lab manager at the Arc Institute, recalled the moment he saw the areas of destroyed bacteria: "It was really impressive, like seeing an AI-generated life form."

The AI ​​was trained on about 2 million phage genomes, and then proposed new designs, including unusual gene arrangements and shortened genes. This opens up huge prospects for drug development, biotechnology, agriculture , and even gene therapy. "The potential of this technology is huge," said Samuel King, the PhD student who led the project.

However, J. Craig Venter, a renowned scientist who has participated in creating cells with synthetic genes, warns that extreme caution is needed: "If someone applies this method to pathogens like smallpox or anthrax, the consequences will be extremely serious." He emphasizes the particularly great risk from randomized trials where the results cannot be controlled.

Despite many limitations and concerns, experts all admit that this is an impressive result that can shape the future of genetic engineering and biotechnology.

Back to topic

MINH HAI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ai-tao-ra-vi-rut-diet-khuan-hy-vong-chua-benh-hay-hiem-hoa-tiem-an-20250922091636969.htm