Battle Lines How AI is supercharging bioweapons
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Oct 22, 2025 In this compelling discussion, Dr. Brett Edwards, a security and public policy scholar, and Dr. Ken Alibek, a former Soviet bioweapons expert, delve into the evolving threats posed by biological weapons. They explore how advancements in AI can both help enforce bans and inadvertently make bioweapons more accessible. Alibek shares chilling insights into Soviet biological weapons, while Edwards warns about the implications of hybrid warfare and the need for robust verification methods. They highlight the pressing challenges of complacency and deception in global health security.
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Cold War Roots And Verification Gap
- Biological weapons combine an agent and delivery system and were refined heavily during the Cold War to increase virulence and stability.
- Verification is hard because biological materials can be grown and digital tools blur physical borders, so controls need refreshing.
AI Lowers The Technical Threshold
- AI lowers barriers by speeding research and raising baseline competence in biotech, increasing access for more actors.
- Faster AI-enabled searches shorten the research phase that previously slowed would-be attackers.
Use Layered Controls And Industry Standards
- Build multi-level regimes combining intelligence, export controls and industry codes to screen risks in biotech supply chains.
- Encourage industry self-regulation like DNA synthesis screening to reduce misuse opportunities.
