AI-designed viruses are here and already killing bacteria
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/17/1123801/ai-virus-bacteriophage-life/
A research team in California says it used AI to propose new genetic codes for viruses—and managed to get several of these viruses to replicate and kill bacteria.
The scientists, based at Stanford University and the nonprofit Arc Institute, both in Palo Alto, say the germs with AI-written DNA represent the “the first generative design of complete genomes.” …
… Overall, 16 of the 302 designs ended up working—that is, the computer-designed phage started to replicate, eventually bursting through the bacteria and killing them.
h/t A Deplorable Neanderthal