Avida: A Software Platform for Computational Evolutionary Biology (2009) [pdf]

Recently I stumbled upon Avida, a research project at Michigan State. They are exploring self-replicating & mutating computer programs as a way to learn more about natural evolution.

I can also see benefit in using this to develop an AI that is potentially more data/power efficient than something like GPT. In the same line of thinking, there is the potential for novel algorithm discoveries since evolution is based on chance mutations vs being constrained to human creativity.

Has there been any other similar research into this from an AI perspective? If not, why?