The idea of an AI designing brand–new viruses might sound like the plot of the latest science fiction blockbuster.
But it has become a reality, after scientists from Stanford University used AI to create 16 fully functional pathogens.
The breakthrough has been dubbed a ‘significant turning point’ in science, with many scientists pointing out that it could unlock a new era for treating disease.
However, not everyone is so convinced.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Dr Simon Clarke, Associate Professor in Cellular Microbiology at the University of Reading, warned that the technology could potentially be used to create dangerous bioweapons.
‘The study poses no direct threat to human health because it only involves viruses that only target bacteria, though creating novel synthetic life forms which don’t exist in nature, raises broader ethical concerns,’ he explained.
‘While this technology has not been used to generate human pathogens, the study confirms AI can design viable, non–natural viruses.
‘This underlying capability means the technology could potentially be used to create dangerous pathogens with potential to be a bioweapon, though safeguards within the AI model, which are in place in this study, can help mitigate the risk.’
scientists from Stanford University used AI to create 16 fully functional pathogens (stock image)
In their study, researchers at Stanford University used AI to create a genome for a virus that infects bacteria, known as a bacteriophage.
The AI suggested thousands of genomes, and the researchers created 302 in the lab before exposing them to bacteria.
Overall, 16 of the viruses suggested by the AI were able to kill E.coli.
According to the researchers, the breakthrough suggests AI can design new viruses with the potential to ‘massively improve human health’.
However, in the wrong hands, such technology could prove catastrophic, according to Dr Clarke.
When asked whether AI could create a virus that sparks a new pandemic, he told the Daily Mail: ‘AI can only design genetic code, it cannot physically create or release a virus on its own.
‘While the code itself could be misused, sparking a pandemic would require human intervention, specifically bad actors synthesising and assembling the virus in a lab.’
Dr Carl Mayers, a Senior Adviser in Biosecurity Policiy at The Centre for Long–Term Resilience, agreed that the AI could be misused – but said that this would be ‘extremely hard’.
In their study, researchers at Stanford University used AI to create a genome for a virus that infects bacteria, known as a bacteriophage
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: ‘At the moment it would be extremely hard, slow and expensive to use this approach to make a bioweapon.
‘The authors had to design, synthesise and test 302 different AI–designed genomes to find just 16 genomes that were functional in a simple bacterium.
‘It would be much slower, much more difficult, and much more expensive to do this with animal or human viruses.’
As for whether or not an AI could spark a pandemic on its own, Dr Mayers reassures that this is not possible.
He added: ‘An AI couldn’t spark a pandemic this way on its own.
‘We should worry more about who has access to these powerful biological AI tools.
‘In the right hands they will bring us new drugs, and new ways to beat antibiotic–resistant bacteria. In the wrong hands they could cause damage.
‘We need to decide how these tools are governed, and make sure that safeguards are put in place quickly, just as we do for other scientific and medical tools.
‘As labs become more automated in future, we must ensure that there are always effective safeguards in place.’
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BACTERIA AND A VIRUS?
Viral infections, including common colds, are not treated by antibiotics, but bacterial infections, such as strep throat, can require the medications (file photo)
The biggest difference between viral and bacterial infections is the way in which they are treated.
Bacterial infections can usually be killed by antibiotics whereas the medicines to do work against viral infections.
Additionally, viruses are smaller than bacteria.
In order for a virus to multiply it must be attached to a living host, such as a human.
Bacteria thrive in a variety of environments both hot and cold.
Most bacteria are harmless, but ailments such as urinary tract infections and strep throat are caused by bacteria.
Diseases caused by viruses include AIDS and common colds.
