Researchers have successfully used AI to create brand new viruses

NPR | By Katia Riddle

Published August 11, 2026 at 5:11 PM CDT

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For the first time, researchers have used artificial intelligence to generate novel viruses in a laboratory setting, according to a paper in the journal Science.

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Katia Riddle

Katia Riddle is a correspondent on NPR’s science desk.

Researchers have successfully used AI to create brand new viruses

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