AI Designed Viruses in the Lab | Science News

Scientists are now using AI to design entirely new viruses in labs—targeting only specific bacteria, not plants or animals. But the real concern? This technology is advancing faster than our laws can keep up. Open-source models already exist and can be repurposed, raising fears that future AI could invent never-before-seen pathogens—or even guide inexperienced users toward dangerous creations. While biosecurity rules exist for handling pathogens, they don’t cover digital design tools. Experts propose restricting access to risky genetic data and improving screening systems, which recently failed to catch AI-generated toxic proteins. Big questions remain: Can AI replicate pandemics? How much training data does it need? The pace of innovation leaves regulators scrambling. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/e5551f85bfcbd29c