Evolution at the speed of artificial intelligence.

In the vast and complex world of science, we are rarely presented with a discovery that challenges our fundamental understanding of life and evolution. The recent achievement of artificial intelligence at Northwestern University is precisely one of those moments.

Imagine a gelatinous mass, slightly square and purple in color, that comes to life thanks to the impulses of an artificial intelligence. In just 26 seconds, this AI was able to design, evolve, and give movement to this form, a process that has taken billions of years in nature.

This feat confronts us with a new form of evolution, one that nature is unfamiliar with and that has been orchestrated exclusively by AI, without human intervention. If such impressive results were achieved in just 26 seconds, what wonders could AI reach if given a decade or even a century of trial and error?

The team at Northwestern University, led by Sam Kriegman, has opened the door to uncharted territory. AI not only seeks human solutions but experiments with responses and adaptations that we might never understand. Kriegman put it best by saying, “Before any animal could run, swim, or fly, they needed billions of years of trial and error… we have found a way to bypass this blindfolded.”

This achievement not only challenges our understanding of evolution but also raises questions about the role of AI in the future of biological research and creation. In a world where AI can seek and apply non-human solutions to create and adapt beings, we find ourselves at the crossroads of admiration and fear.

While this advancement offers endless possibilities, it also reminds us of the humility in the face of what we don’t fully understand. Today, AI gives us a glimpse of its capabilities, and we can only imagine where it will take us in the future. However, it is essential to approach these discoveries with caution and ethics, remembering that, while evolution lacks foresight, we possess it, and we must use it wisely.