Eras of bioinformatics technologies from command-line interfaces to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots.

Bioinformatics has evolved from command-line tools to AI-driven systems, with deep learning models like AlphaFold transforming structural biology and data interaction.

• Why it matters: This progression addresses the growing complexity and volume of biological data, highlighting the need for scalable, accessible, and trustworthy computational tools in biomedical research.
• What they did: The authors review the technological shifts over 75 years, focusing on key eras such as the genomic revolution, next-generation sequencing, and current AI advancements, emphasizing how each lowered barriers and raised new questions.
• The result: Understanding this evolution guides future developments, helping researchers navigate ethical, technical, and cultural challenges as bioinformatics continues to integrate AI and natural language interfaces.