Researchers in the United Kingdom have successfully completed the first human trial of a vaccine designed by artificial intelligence that could potentially offer protection against multiple coronaviruses.

The experimental vaccine, developed by teams at the Universities of Cambridge and Southampton, is being described as a "universal" shot that may eventually help prevent future pandemic-scale outbreaks.

The concept targets Sarbeco coronaviruses, a broad family of viruses found in nature that includes SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID pandemic.

In traditional vaccine development, every new viral mutation demands updates, a challenge that University of Southampton professor Saul Faust likened to "a dog chasing its tail."

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"Viruses like Influenza, coronaviruses and the Ebola group are evolving continuously, and by the time vaccines are rolled out, they may be poorly matched — the current ‘reactive’ vaccine system struggles to keep pace," Faust explained.

To counter this, researchers turned to artificial intelligence to analyze genetic sequences collected from known Sarbeco coronaviruses.

The technology designed what scientists called a "super-antigen" that includes features common across this entire group of viruses, including forms that have not yet emerged.

According to a university news release, this marks "the first time that a vaccine whose active component was designed entirely by computer simulations has been tested in humans."

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The phase one trial involved 39 healthy volunteers and showed the vaccine to be safe while triggering an immune response.

The vaccine was delivered using a needle-free micro-fluid jet system that injects a tiny stream of liquid through the skin. Researchers noted that this technique could make mass immunization faster and easier.

"This new class of universal vaccines are future-proofed," Faust said, adding that they could offer protection against many variants simultaneously and possibly new viruses that have yet to spill over to humans.

"If we can develop and clinically advance this new class of vaccines before a virus outbreak begins, millions of lives could be saved, lockdowns avoided and the economy preserved," Faust said.

The team published their early findings in the Journal of Infection and emphasized that larger trials involving a wider and more diverse population will be necessary before moving forward.

Although many experts see potential in AI-designed therapies, some have voiced concerns about relying heavily on algorithms for medical applications.

Skeptics have pointed out that data biases, errors, and privacy issues can complicate the use of AI in healthcare.

For now, the AI-based universal vaccine represents an early but significant demonstration of how computer-assisted design could shape the next era of infectious disease prevention.