Artificial intelligence can draw cat pictures and write emails. Now the same technology can compose a working genome.
A research team in California says it used AI to propose new genetic codes for viruses—and managed to get several of them to replicate and kill bacteria.
The work, described in a preprint paper, has the potential to create new treatments and accelerate research into artificially engineered cells. But experts believe it is also an “impressive first step” toward AI-designed life forms. Read the full story.
—Antonio Regalado
Clean hydrogen is facing a big reality check
Hydrogen is sometimes held up as a master key for the energy transition. It can be made using several low-emissions methods and could play a role in cleaning up industries ranging from agriculture to aviation to shipping.
This moment is a complicated one for the green fuel, though, as a new report from the International Energy Agency lays out. A number of major projects face cancellations and delays. The US in particular is seeing a slowdown after changes to key tax credits and cuts in support for renewable energy.
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