Towards Risk Analysis of the Impact of AI on the Deliberate Biological Threat Landscape

TL;DR

This paper explores how AI could impact biological risks, proposing frameworks for assessing biorisk and emphasizing the need for adaptable evaluation methods as AI advances in life sciences.

Contribution

It introduces quantitative and qualitative frameworks for evaluating biorisk related to AI and biological engineering, highlighting their benefits, limitations, and the importance of evolving assessment methods.

Findings

Frameworks can evaluate potential AI-related biorisks.

Assessment methods must adapt to rapid AI advancements.

Discussion of benefits and limitations of proposed frameworks.

Abstract

The perception that the convergence of biological engineering and artificial intelligence (AI) could enable increased biorisk has recently drawn attention to the governance of biotechnology and artificial intelligence. The 2023 Executive Order, Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, requires an assessment of how artificial intelligence can increase biorisk. Within this perspective, quantitative and qualitative frameworks for evaluating biorisk are presented. Both frameworks are exercised using notional scenarios and their benefits and limitations are then discussed. Finally, the perspective concludes by noting that assessment and evaluation methodologies must keep pace with advances of AI in the life sciences.