The next generation of legal highs could be discovered by AI.
Scientists in Canada have developed a model that identifies future designer drugs before they even hit the market.
But dont get too excited: the researchers arent planning to provide your next buzz.
Instead, they want the cops to find it first.
High times
It wasnt easy introducing AI to the drug game.
First, the neural connection needed a crash course in pharmacology.
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The rookie chemist proved to be a fast learner.
In total, it generated structures for a whopping 8.9 million potential designer drugs.
Their ultimate objective was identifying new drugs before they end up in the hands of users.
Law enforcement agencies could then outlaw the substances before theyre even synthesized.
They are a major public health concern to emergency departments across the world.
Uppers and downers
The team still needed to test their approachs predictive powers.
They discovered more than 90% of the new drugs inside the generated set.
Cue the inevitableMinority Reportcomparisons.
Still, the researchers had one more trick to try before they risked the same fate.
The model had learned not only which drugs would emerge on the market, but also whichmoleculeswould appear.
The team says this capability could massively accelerate the pace at which new designer drugs are identified.
The comedown
We should have seen this coming.
When AI showedpotential to discover new medicines, it became inevitable that it would soon become a narc.
The researchers say their approach could protect people from dangerous legal highs.
Unfortunately, it could also ruin some great trips and awesome parties.
It doesnt quite look ready for the streets, however.
It could be hard work finding the psychoactive substances of the future within that collection.
Still, Im sure some people would be up for trying them out.
Drug developers may also be keen to get their hands on the model.
you might read the study paperin Nature Machine Intelligence.
HT:Vancouver Is Awesome
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
