Roundtables: A Conversation With the Creator of AI-Designed Viruses
Quick Answer
Stanford PhD student Samuel King utilized a generative AI model to propose genetic blueprints for viruses, marking a significant step towards AI-designed life forms.
Quick Take
Join a subscriber-only discussion with King and AI reporter James O'Donnell on October 16, 2026, to explore the implications of this groundbreaking work.
Key Points
- Samuel King is recognized as one of MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35.
- The discussion will take place on October 16, 2026, at 18:30 BST.
- King's work explores new ways of understanding biology through AI.
- AI-designed viruses have already shown effectiveness in targeting bacteria.
- The event is exclusive to MIT Technology Review subscribers.
📖 Reader Mode
~1 min readJoin a subscriber-only conversation with one of MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35.
October 8, 2026
Available only for MIT Technology Review subscribers.
Friday, October 16, 2026
Can AI design new life forms? In 2025, Stanford University PhD student Samuel King came up with a preliminary answer when he used a generative AI model to propose genetic blueprints for microscopic viruses. It isn’t yet an example of AI-generated life, but that could be next. Join senior AI reporter James O'Donnell as he interviews King about his work, being named one of MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35 and new ways of seeing biology.
Going live on October 16th at 18:30 BST / 1:30pm EDT / 10:30am PDT
Speakers: James O'Donnell, AI Reporter, and Samuel King, Bioengineering PhD Candidate, Stanford University/Arc Institute
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