AI creates new viruses for first time, raising biosecurity fears
US researchers used AI to generate thousands of virus genomes from a natural template, then chemically made 16 "viable" viruses. In laboratory tests, these synthetic viruses demonstrated a greater capacity for eliminating E. coli bacteria compared to their natural counterparts. Experts say this could help fight antibiotic-resistant infections but also poses a serious biosecurity risk, with calls for stronger oversight.
Lost in this story? That's the point of BriefTea.
Open it in the app and tap Learn from this — the Knowledge Galaxy turns the story into a map of everything it assumes you know, one tap at a time. Free, no ads, no paywall.
Get BriefTea on the App Store