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SO

· Friday, August 7, 2026

Science & Environment

Scientists have created viruses designed by AI that are not found in nature.

Consensus

Well-supported — high-quality sources agree

6 sources · 6 support

What we can confirm

Multiple high-quality reports on a Science-published study state that researchers used AI to design novel viral genomes and then synthesized viable bacteriophages not found in nature. The claim is supported, with the caveat that the viruses were bacteria-infecting phages and not human pathogens.

Sources

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

aljazeera.com

nytimes.com

Artificial Intelligence used to design brand new viruses

bbc.com

AI Model Trained In DNA Invents 16 New Viruses Not Found In Nature

forbes.com

AI creates never-before-seen viruses

yahoo.com

AI-designed viruses created for the first time – Testbiotech

testbiotech.org

Checked August 7, 2026

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