Artificial intelligence discovers more than 161,000 new viruses [Video]

By Stephen Beech via SWNS

More than 161,000 new viruses have been discovered by AI technology.

State-of-the-art artificial intelligence, or AI, has been used to reveal “mind-blowing” details of a branch of life living right under our feet and in every corner of the planet.

A total of 161,979 new species of RNA virus have been identified using a machine learning tool that an international team of researchers believe will “vastly improve” the mapping of life on Earth.

They say it could aid in the identification of many millions more viruses yet to be characterized.

The study, published in the journal Cell, is the largest ever single virus discovery.

Study senior author Professor Edwards Holmes, of the University of Sydney, said: “We have been offered a window into an otherwise hidden part of life on earth, revealing remarkable biodiversity.

“This is the largest number of new virus species discovered in a single study, massively expanding our knowledge of the viruses that …