A revolutionary artificial intelligence (AI) tool has achieved what microbiologists spent a decade working on—solving a major superbug mystery in just two days.

Professor José R. Penadés and his research team at Imperial College London had spent years investigating why certain bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. However, when they tested Google’s AI-powered research assistant, they were stunned by how quickly it reached the same conclusion—despite having no access to their unpublished work.

AI vs. Scientists: A Race Against Time

Prof. Penadés described his disbelief when the AI provided the correct answer in just 48 hours. The breakthrough was so unexpected that he initially suspected the AI had somehow accessed his private files. Google later confirmed that was not the case.

While the research team had spent years not only developing their hypothesis but also proving it, the AI’s ability to generate the correct theory instantly could have saved them years of work had it been available earlier.

More Than Just a Confirmation—New Discoveries

Not only did the AI validate the team’s research, but it also proposed additional hypotheses—four, to be exact—all of which made scientific sense. One of these was an entirely new concept the researchers had never considered, prompting them to explore fresh avenues in their study of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

How Do Superbugs Spread?

The team had been working on a theory suggesting that antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or “superbugs,” develop by acquiring virus-like tails that allow them to spread between different species. Prof. Penadés compared this mechanism to having “keys” that let them move from one host to another.

Since this theory was unpublished and not available in the public domain, using it to test the AI was a perfect experiment. The AI’s ability to independently generate the same theory in mere days proved its potential as a powerful scientific tool.

The Future of AI in Scientific Research

The role of AI in research has sparked debate, with some fearing it could replace human jobs. However, Prof. Penadés sees it as an enhancement rather than a threat, calling AI a “game-changer” for the scientific community.

“I feel this will change science, definitely,” he said. “It’s like playing in a Champions League match—you’re competing at the highest level with something truly spectacular.”

As AI continues to evolve, its impact on medical and scientific breakthroughs will only grow, paving the way for faster discoveries and potentially life-saving advancements.