AI used to create viruses not found in nature for first time

US researchers at Stanford University and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have used AI to generate thousands of genomes, chemically synthesizing nearly 300 and producing 16 viable viruses not found in nature. The synthetic viruses proved more effective at killing E. coli bacteria than natural ones, offering potential for phage therapy against antibiotic-resistant infections. However, experts warn of biosecurity risks if the technology is misused, highlighting the need for strong oversight.