AI tools can design genomes. Will they upend how life evolves?

Nature

by Kate Adamala

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

AI tools are revolutionizing biology by enabling researchers to design genomes and synthetic organisms from scratch. This emerging field, known as generative biology, harnesses artificial intelligence to predict gene-protein relationships and simulate genome behavior, effectively treating DNA like software code. Adrian Woolfson's book *On the Future of Species* explores this transformative technology, tracing its evolution from early gene sequencing to AI-driven advancements. Generative biology allows scientists to manipulate life's building blocks with unprecedented precision. By redesigning genomes in silico, researchers can create organisms tailored for specific purposes, such as producing pharmaceuticals or developing crop strains resistant to pests. However, challenges remain: predicting how genes interact and influence each other is still complex, and organismal development depends on external factors like nutrition and environment, which are hard to model algorithmically. Despite these hurdles, the potential applications of AI in biology are vast. A "species catalogue" could one day store the blueprints for countless life forms, enabling scientists to design organisms for almost any purpose. While the idea of a synthetic species catalogue sounds futuristic, it underscores how AI is reshaping our understanding of evolution and opening new frontiers in biotechnology. This breakthrough matters because it could redefine how life evolves on Earth. By giving researchers unprecedented control over genetic design, generative biology could lead to innovations in medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. However, it also raises ethical questions about the limits of human intervention in nature. As Woolfson notes, while AI tools offer exciting possibilities, they also highlight the need for careful consideration of their implications. In conclusion, AI's role in genome design is poised to transform biology into a more predictable and manipulable science. While challenges persist in predicting gene interactions and constructing synthetic organisms, the potential benefits—ranging from disease-resistant crops to groundbreaking medical treatments—make this field one of the most promising areas of scientific research today.

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Originally published on Nature on 2/23/2026