In a significant leap for synthetic biology and artificial intelligence, scientists have successfully used AI to design complete and functional bacteriophage genomes entirely from scratch. This pioneering research, led by computational biologists from institutions like Stanford University and Arc Institute, with contributions from Microsoft Research, published its findings on bioRxiv around September 2025. The AI models, trained on vast genomic datasets, learned the intricate rules governing viral genome organization, enabling them to generate novel DNA sequences that mimic natural viral patterns. From hundreds of AI-generated candidates, 16 functional bacteriophages were successfully synthesized and tested in laboratory settings. Remarkably, these AI-designed phages not only proved viable but in some instances, demonstrated superior efficacy in killing drug-resistant E. coli compared to their naturally occurring counterparts, highlighting their immense therapeutic potential in combating the escalating global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Phage therapy, which uses viruses to target and destroy specific bacteria, offers a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics, especially against 'superbugs' where conventional drugs have failed. However, this breakthrough also comes with serious biosecurity implications. Experts are vocal about the 'dual-use' nature of this technology, warning that the same AI capabilities could potentially be exploited to design harmful pathogens that might circumvent existing biosecurity screening mechanisms. Parallel research by Microsoft demonstrated that AI tools could redesign known toxin sequences to evade standard DNA synthesis company screening. While current AI-designed phages target bacteria and not human pathogens, the advancement underscores the urgent need for robust safety frameworks, ethical guidelines, and global discussions to prevent potential misuse and ensure responsible development of such powerful biological design tools.