• How we’re helping preserve the genetic information of endangered species with AI Feb 02, 2026 We’ve helped sequence the genomes of 13 endangered species with Google’s AI, and we’re just getting started. • General summary Scientists predict one million species may face extinction. • To help preserve endangered species’ genetic information, Google is providing funding and AI tools to the Vertebrate Genomes Project and the Earth BioGenome Project. • Google.org recently awarded The Rockefeller University the AI for Science fund to expand the number of species being supported. • Scientists predict one million species may face extinction. • To help preserve endangered species’ genetic information, Google is providing funding and AI tools to the Vertebrate Genomes Project and the Earth BioGenome Project.

Article Summaries:

  • Scientists and conservationists are using AI to accelerate the sequencing of genomes for endangered species, a project led by Erich Jarvis at The Rockefeller University in partnership with Google. The Vertebrate Genomes Project aims to catalogue the DNA of all known species, and the Earth BioGenome Project is expanding this effort. Funding and advanced AI tools have enabled the sequencing of 13 critically endangered animals-including the cotton‑top tamarin, golden mantella frog, and African penguin-whose genomes are now freely available to researchers. The initiative seeks to preserve genetic diversity, support breeding programs, and inform conservation strategies worldwide.
  • Scientists and conservationists are using artificial intelligence to accelerate the sequencing of genomes for endangered species, a key step in safeguarding biodiversity. The Vertebrate Genomes Project, led by Erich Jarvis at The Rockefeller University, has partnered with Google to apply AI tools that streamline data analysis and reduce costs. Funding and technical support have enabled the sequencing of 13 new endangered species-including the cotton‑top tamarin, golden mantella frog, Grevy’s zebra, and African penguin-whose genomes are now freely available to researchers. The initiative aims to support the Earth BioGenome Project’s goal of cataloguing all known species, helping prevent genetic loss and ecosystem destabilisation.

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