Mastodawn

Right now, yes, I think biological systems like the incredibly complex way DNA (and other genetic code) interacts with hyper-local and other environments to produce biological stuff is beyond the reach of genAI.

However, I'm sure there are hundreds or thousands of biological researchers using AI or slightly simpler machine learning algorithms to solve tough problems--these tools can sometimes spot (and other times just use, without telling us how) patterns that humans can't.

I like this post and think it's accurate so far--with my painfully limited, layperson's understanding of biology--but a year ago the experts said #AI would never generate good code, and now it generates useful code in lots of areas. It won't stop getting better, and I don't think we're near any plateaus in its improvement.

The main reason to oppose AI isn't because it sucks.

#biology #code #resist #meme #dna

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Anders Christensen 4d ago

@guyjantic
In addition, the code copying mechanism is imperfect, which is a feature.

The code only determines a fraction of the outcome, with the runtime environment determining a lot.

The code and the environment sort of influence each others, with the environment able to turn genes "on" or "off".

And then, bacteria and viruses etc (with their own genome) take the role as plugins and add-ons. Their participation is somewhat necessary, but there is no overview.

Sure, easy to simulate ...

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Proto Himbo European

@anchr Literally every time I've listened to a biologist talk about genetics, epigenetics, etc. I have realized there is not only more quantity of complexity but more dimensions of complexity. It's just mind-bogglingly complicated (to me, at least).

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Anders Christensen 3d ago

@guyjantic
Yes, that is my experience too.

My first (and naive) thought around genetics as an IT-person was: that's basically digital information, so it must be easy. And then I learned ...