'Build AI that can accurately represent the full complexity of biology': Mark Zuckerberg wants to cure all diseases but needs far more data to deliver a digital twin of human cellsAs genetic data becomes the next frontier, will
you trust him with yours?

Date:
Sat, 02 May 2026 18:20:00 +0000

Description:
Mark Zuckerberg backs $500 million push to build AI models of human cells as part of long-term effort to cure disease.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Global effort seeks massive biological datasets to power advanced cellular AI models Predictive cell simulations could accelerate disease research and future medical treatments Questions remain about data ownership as biological datasets expand worldwide Meta billionaire Mark Zuckerberg is backing a sweeping $500 million push to build massive biological datasets that could power AI models capable of simulating human cells.

The effort, called the Virtual Biology Initiative , comes from Biohub, the nonprofit led by Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, M.D., and focuses on creating what scientists describe as predictive models of life at the cellular level. The project will split the funding, with $100 million going toward supporting global data collection and $400 million on developing tools for imaging, measuring, and engineering biology at unprecedented scale. Article continues below You may like Living Models explains the push to build AI models that understand DNA Sam Altman issues stark warning as $1 billion plan is revealed 'No one deploys AI at Metas scale': Meta signs up Nvidia to power its next
big AI projects so what exactly do Mark Zuckerberg and Jensen Huang have planned? Wanted: vast amounts of biological data Building accurate digital models of cells has long been discussed as a pathway toward faster drug discovery and improved understanding of disease.

Scientists say the tools to begin that work now exist, but the missing ingredient remains vast amounts of high-quality biological data.

To build artificial intelligence that can accurately represent the full complexity of biology and accelerate scientific research, we need orders of magnitude more data than exists today. We need new technologies to observe
the cell, from the molecular to the tissue level, and in the context of
health and disease," said Alex Rives, Biohub Head of Science.

"At Biohub, were committing our resources to solve this problem. Generating this data will require a coordinated global effort. Were thrilled to partner with leading institutions and consortia who are also committed to this and to work with them to galvanize a larger effort to create the foundation for predictive models of the cell, Rives added. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me
with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Several major research organizations have agreed to participate, including
the Allen Institute, Arc Institute, Broad Institute, and Wellcome Sanger Institute.

The scale of the project reflects how quickly artificial intelligence is moving into biology, especially as researchers attempt to model how cells behave under different conditions.

Support from Nvidia will provide the computing power needed to process the enormous datasets, which scientists say are essential for training AI systems that can simulate cellular behavior accurately. What to read next Shocking emissions stats revealed for 11 planned AI data centers in the US Someone
used ChatGPT to make a custom mRNA vaccine for his dog's cancer Sam Altman
An ex-programmers devastating take on AI data centers is going viral

Zuckerberg said last year that Biohub s long-term goal is to cure all human disease by combining advances in AI with large-scale biological research.

Accurate digital models of cells could allow scientists to test ideas virtually before running expensive laboratory experiments, dramatically increasing the speed of discovery.

Achieving a predictive understanding of cellular behavior will require coordination and data at a truly global scale. The Human Cell Atlas brings together a global community, data, capabilities, and expertise needed to help make this possibleand efforts like this, where leading partners including Biohub come together, have the potential to accelerate progress in ways no single organization and consortium could achieve alone, said Muzz Haniffa, co-Vice-Chair of the Human Cell Atlas Organising Committee.

Although the scientific promise is substantial, the scale of data required raises big questions about governance, ownership, and trust as biological information becomes an increasingly valuable resource. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/build-ai-that-can-accurately-represent-the-full- complexity-of-biology-mark-zuckerberg-wants-to-cure-all-diseases-but-needs-far -more-data-to-deliver-a-digital-twin-of-human-cells-as-genetic-data-becomes-th e-next-frontier-will-you-trust-him-with-yours


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)