The evolution of AI-integrated genome editing and its challenges

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize the field of genome editing by enhancing precision, efficiency, and accessibility. AI-driven approaches are already improving the design of CRISPR-based systems by enabling more accurate identification of target sequences and predicting off-target effects. Machine learning (ML) algorithms can analyze vast genomic data, as well as identify patterns and mutations that might be overlooked by traditional methods. Taking together, utilizing AI/ML tools allow for the enhancement of every step in genome editing. Recent advances also demonstrated that AI-powered tools can facilitate the simulation and modeling of genetic modifications, predicting their effects on cellular behavior and phenotypes. This allows for a more rapid prediction of the genome editing effects, without the need for wet lab. Additionally, AI can accelerate drug discovery and therapeutic development by streamlining the identification of genetic targets and optimizing gene therapies. The integration of AI with genome editing promises to democratize access to cutting-edge technologies, enabling researchers to design and plan for complex genetic modifications with minimal technical expertise. Drawing from various examples, this paper dives into the advancements and applications of AI in genome editing, its limitations, as well as future directions and opportunities in this field.