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Artificial Intelligence used to design brand new viruses
BBC ^ | 08 06 2026 | James Gallagher

Posted on 08/06/2026 2:51:37 PM PDT by yesthatjallen

Artificial Intelligence has been used to design brand new viruses that are fully functional and can replicate in the laboratory, say US researchers.

It is the first time whole genomes have been successfully designed by AI.

The resulting 16 novel viruses were created to infect bacteria and pose no threat to people.

The breakthrough has been labelled a "very significant turning point" in science that could unlock a new era for treating disease. But experts have also warned AI-designed viruses raise "urgent" safety and security concerns.

AI tools are rapidly advancing and have already been used to design new antibiotics.

But that is relatively simple compared with designing a new viable virus from scratch.

SNIP

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: ai; aitruth; artificial; intelligence; viruses
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To: DiogenesLamp

I never knew a subplot to a 1970 science fantasy movie was going to come true .
HAL open the pod bay door.


21 posted on 08/06/2026 3:21:18 PM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: Deo volente

Don’t give Fauci any ideas.


22 posted on 08/06/2026 3:22:28 PM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: yesthatjallen

Everything in life can be used for good or evil. Rest assured somebody at some time will use this to kill a massive number of people. It’s just the way humans think. We’re a flawed species unfortunately.


23 posted on 08/06/2026 3:23:04 PM PDT by BullwinkleMoose
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To: yesthatjallen

What was wrong with the old ones?


24 posted on 08/06/2026 3:33:20 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: yesthatjallen

time for another ‘lab leak.’ not to worry, though, it only kills our microbiome....


25 posted on 08/06/2026 3:36:45 PM PDT by dadfly
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To: FRiends

“The resulting 16 novel viruses were created to infect bacteria and pose no threat to people.”

Call me cynical, but I’ll bet the next step for AI is to make these innocent, harmless ‘viruses’ into Superspreaders.

“Pandora? Please pick up the white Courtesy Phone in the Lobby!”

P.S. Just because you THINK they’re out to harm you, doesn’t mean they AREN’T out to harm you!


26 posted on 08/06/2026 3:40:47 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Deo volente
"Like that Star Trek episode, where the nomadic robot was designed to sterilize imperfect populations."

I think AI is going to be more of a Tribble-like problem. ;)


27 posted on 08/06/2026 3:48:18 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: yesthatjallen

“...created to infect bacteria and pose no threat to people”

Whew, for a minute, I was worried. Now I can rest easy.


28 posted on 08/06/2026 3:48:56 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Salman
You exaggerate. Just half, not "most."

Scientists say we need to HALVE Earth's population to just 4 billion to save the planet

29 posted on 08/06/2026 3:50:45 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: yesthatjallen

no worries, Artificial Intelligence will be used to design brand new MRNA vaccines... /S


30 posted on 08/06/2026 3:53:32 PM PDT by Bob434 (Time flies like an arrow, Fruit flies like a banana)
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To: central_va

31 posted on 08/06/2026 3:54:24 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: yesthatjallen
The resulting 16 novel viruses were created to infect bacteria and pose no threat to people.

Sure, like the COVID jab was "safe and effective".

32 posted on 08/06/2026 3:58:09 PM PDT by JimRed (TERM LIMITS, NOW! Finish the damned WALL! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH! )
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To: yesthatjallen

Checked in with AI to see how to change the headlight in an f350. It gave me a description that sounded ridiculously involved citing tabs and screwdrivers and pliers.

When I got to the truck I popped the hood, looked at the back of the light. Saw a round plastic collar with the wires to the bulb coming out the back. Said “hmmm”. Grasped the collar, turned counter clockwise, bulb popped out.

Ai. Glad I didn’t ask it how to do brain surgery…


33 posted on 08/06/2026 4:00:11 PM PDT by TalBlack (Their god is government. Prepare for a religious war.https://freerepublic.com/perl/post?id=4322961%2)
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To: yesthatjallen

We need to introduce pain into the AI model. I am not sure how that concept would work but pain is the best way to punish AI gone bad or rouge.


34 posted on 08/06/2026 4:01:29 PM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

The WEF people want to reduce the population to one half billion, not reduce it by one half.


35 posted on 08/06/2026 4:02:15 PM PDT by JimRed (TERM LIMITS, NOW! Finish the damned WALL! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH! )
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To: yesthatjallen

Who would have thought? Seriously...finding a disease that eliminates your enemy... Kind of like a virus that infected AI..My next q to X


36 posted on 08/06/2026 4:24:26 PM PDT by maddog55 (The only thing systemic in America is the left's hatred of it!)
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To: yesthatjallen

What could possibly go wgron?


37 posted on 08/06/2026 4:36:03 PM PDT by Blurb2350 (posted from my 1500-watt blow dryer)
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To: Salman

Wonder if the ‘ruling classes’ might do well to consider that whatever viral load they unleash on the earth’s general populace may well find its way to them as well?
Are they going to live the remainder of their wretched existence underground wearing environment suits? Or do they already have a station in orbit they’re going to hang out on for….
gee…
A phenomenally long time?


38 posted on 08/06/2026 5:31:33 PM PDT by Patriot777 ("When you see these things begin to happen, look up, for your redemption draweth nigh.")
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To: TalBlack

You asked it how to remove the headlight. Which it did explain.

What you actually did was remove the bulb from the headlight.

Two different things.


39 posted on 08/06/2026 5:36:20 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (Sailing the Sea of Ignorance on a Ship named Free Republic)
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To: yesthatjallen

Computer technology is creating things so monstrous that it would have been far better off if that technology was never invented.

“Block, the door which was locked, I opened
Oh, now I’ve paid that price tenfold over
The knowledge, was it worth such torment?
Oh, to see the far side of shadow
Still I’m standing here
I’m awaiting this grand transition
I’m a fool in search of wisdom
Who’s on the road to madness
I’m on the road to madness”


40 posted on 08/06/2026 6:06:03 PM PDT by Revel
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