Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity News,
For the first time, artificial intelligence has designed complete, functional viral genomes from scratch.
Oh dear.
Stanford University and Arc Institute researchers used generative AI models to produce 16 novel bacteriophages that successfully infect and kill bacteria in the lab.
Breaking News: Scientists have used A.I. to create new viruses for the first time, raising hopes for medical advances while also raising the possibility that the technology could someday be used to invent dangerous pathogens. https://t.co/MJG4mp0TTb
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 6, 2026
Officials insist the viruses "pose no threat to people," yet biosecurity experts are already sounding the alarm that the same technology opens the door to inventing dangerous pathogens.
JUST IN – For the first time, AI has designed complete viral genomes, producing 16 functional viruses that infect bacteria and "pose no threat to people." — BBC pic.twitter.com/Le4lRSKN7q
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) August 6, 2026
The breakthrough, published in the journal Science, marks the first time
