The University of Cambridge says it successfully tested a vaccine with an AI-designed antigen

**Imran Shaikh** (0:00)
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The University of Cambridge says it successfully tested a vaccine with an AI-designed antigen. More on that coming up, but first, with SpaceX about to go public shortly at a gobsmacking valuation, the NASDAQ 100 and other indexes recently relaxed their rules to allow Elon Musk's company to join early. That caused some consternation because huge funds often invest in ETFs, exchange traded funds, based on those indexes. That in turn means that people could end up with SpaceX stock in their pension funds, for instance, whether they want it or not. However, the largest index in the world, the S&P 500, just announced that it won't relax its rules for so-called mega-cap companies to let them in early. As a result, SpaceX will have to wait at least 12 months before being considered for addition to the index. What's more, firms must be profitable over a period of their four most recent quarters for inclusion. That could be a challenge for SpaceX, as it has never actually turned a profit, according to its own S1 SEC filing.
In big tech, Google has shut down its Pixel Studio app with the latest update, according to a report by 9to5Google. The AI-powered image generation app launched less than two years ago and received a fairly substantial content update last year. The app now redirects users to Gemini, the software update that Bricks Pixel Studio is rolling out now, but it could take a while to reach everyone. Once downloaded, the main interface displays a prominent open Gemini button that leads to the Play Store. It also suggests that users try Nano Banana for image generation. Remember, you can find the latest gadget news, reviews, price drops, and more right now at engadget.com.

**SPEAKER_2** (2:48)
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**Imran Shaikh** (3:20)
Wherever you stand on the role of AI in the future of humanity, it has undeniably proved useful in the field of medical research. And now, a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge has utilized the technology to create what they call a universal vaccine that could be used to prevent future pandemics before they take hold. It's the first time that a vaccine with an active component designed entirely by a computer has been used in human trials, which reported no significant side effects. The vaccine was given to 39 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 50 at two UK medical facilities located in Southampton and Cambridge. It was designed to protect people against the number of Sarpico coronavirus, a group of viruses that includes SARS-CoV-2, which was responsible for the global COVID pandemic in 2020
The ground breaking antigen, the active ingredient in a vaccine, triggered a protective immune response in the volunteers against SARS-CoV-2 and SARS, as well as related bat viruses that could cause pandemics in the future. Because of the way the vaccine was developed, it will likely also provide protection against diseases that haven't even emerged yet. Unlike most vaccines, which are developed in reaction to an outbreak and struggle to keep up with virus mutations, this new superantigen could provide an all-in-one solution to diseases like flu and Ebola that jump between humans.