Stanford AI creates new synthetic viruses, raising biosecurity concerns

Scientists at Stanford University used special computer programs called AI to create brand-new viruses from scratch.

These viruses, called bacteriophages, only attack bacteria, not people.

The AI models, named Evo1 and Evo2, learned from the genetic codes of bacteria, plants, other viruses, and even humans.

The AI came up with 300 different virus designs all on its own.

Out of those 300, 16 were really good at destroying E. coli bacteria.

Some of the AI-made viruses were even better at killing bacteria than viruses found in nature.

This could one day help doctors fight superbugs, which are bacteria that are very hard to treat.

But the discovery also worries some experts.

They say the same technology could be used to create dangerous new diseases.

That is why they are asking for urgent safety rules before going further.