Generative AI has moved from reading genetic code to designing complete viral genomes that work in the lab. Of roughly 300 designs synthesized and tested, 16 produced functional viruses, according to research published in Science. Unlike earlier efforts that copied or modified existing viruses, the AI generated entirely new viral genomes. Even so, biosecurity experts say the study demonstrates that generative AI can be used to design genome sequences that produce functional viruses. The ability to compose viral genomes using generative AI now exists; the governance to safely steer it does not.”