Carl ZimmerAug 7, 2026 – 8.48amNew York | For the first time, scientists have used artificial intelligence to create new kinds of viruses, raising hopes for medical advances while also raising the disturbing possibility that the technology could someday be used to invent dangerous pathogens.Synthesising viruses from scratch is hardly new. Researchers long ago learned how to manufacture viral genomes – they are used to investigate antiviral drugs and vaccines, as well as to learn how viruses work.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
AI just created entirely new viruses not found in nature
Scientists used artificial intelligence to manufacture synthetic viruses, in a breakthrough that could advance healthcare but also raises biosafety concerns.
TL;DRAI
Scientists used artificial intelligence to create novel viruses for the first time, designing pathogens never found in nature. While opening therapeutic opportunities, the breakthrough raises critical biosecurity concerns requiring governance for AI-enabled biological research.
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