Making Life with Artificial Biological Intelligence

·35 min·3 clips

A researcher created the first fully synthetic viral species using AI to optimize genomes for killing antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The episode begins with host Jonathan McCrea introducing the show and upcoming topics, including AI-assisted genome writing and the question of where rain comes from. He is joined by Dr. Shelley Brady and Dr. Shane Bergin for a weekly science news segment. The first story covers research from China on menstrual blood testing as a non-invasive alternative to cervical cancer screening, involving over 3,000 women and showing similar accuracy to clinician-collected samples. The discussion touches on HPV vaccination and screening attendance rates in Ireland. The second story details a study on a bonobo named Kanzi, who demonstrated imaginative play by correctly identifying imaginary juice in a cup, challenging the belief that imagination is unique to humans. The third story highlights an AI system called Prima from the University of Michigan, which interprets brain MRI scans with 97.5% accuracy and flags urgent conditions like strokes, acting as a co-pilot for radiologists. The fourth story discusses threats to telescopes in Chile from a proposed solar farm and green hydrogen plant, which could cause light pollution and vibrations. The main interview features Adrian Wolfson, author of "The Future of Species," who explains how artificial biological intelligence allows designing new genomes from first principles, unlike gene editing. He reveals the first AI-designed synthetic virus has been created to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Wolfson discusses the potential benefits, such as discovering new useful species, and the risks, including bioterrorism, emphasizing the need for ethical guardrails. The episode concludes with listener comments on previous topics like aphantasia and the Northern Lights.

As heard by us

A clear science hour linking AI genome writing, rain, and Chile telescope stakes.

Future Proof moves from AI-assisted genome writing to rain, and that pairing gives the hour a clean, satisfying shape. It asks how AI might help design species that do not exist yet, then shifts to the water cycle and the sense that rain keeps returning.

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Why you'd press play

You want one science hour that jumps from AI-assisted genome writing to rain, telescopes, and solar weather.

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