Scientists in the United States have successfully used artificial intelligence (AI) to create new viruses that do not exist in nature, marking a major scientific breakthrough with both promising medical applications and significant biosecurity concerns.
The research, published in the journal Science, was conducted by scientists from Stanford University and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. The team used AI to design thousands of bacteriophage genomes—viruses that infect bacteria—based on a naturally occurring virus.
Researchers chemically synthesized nearly 300 AI-generated genomes and tested them in laboratory conditions. Sixteen of the newly designed viruses were found to be fully functional, making this the first reported case of AI creating viable viruses not found in nature.
The study also showed that a combination of the synthetic viruses was more effective at destroying E. coli bacteria than naturally occurring viruses, suggesting the technology could lead to improved treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Scientists said the findings demonstrate that AI can accurately model evolutionary patterns in DNA, opening the door to designing customized viruses for future medical therapies.
However, experts have also warned that the same technology could pose serious biosecurity risks if misused to create dangerous pathogens. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch said strong safeguards, oversight, and security measures must develop alongside advances in AI-powered biotechnology.
The breakthrough comes amid growing global debate over AI safety. Recent reports have highlighted concerns about increasingly capable AI systems and the need for stronger regulation to prevent misuse.
While researchers believe the technology could transform medicine, they stress that responsible governance and strict oversight will be essential as AI continues to expand the boundaries of biological science.
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