Radiolab 40,000 Recipes for Murder
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Sep 9, 2022 Two scientists invent an AI tool meant for drug discovery, only to discover it can also create deadly chemical weapons. The ethical dilemmas surrounding such dual-use technologies come to the forefront. They grapple with the devastating implications of creating toxins more potent than any known nerve agents. Their decisions are further complicated by a tense dialogue with government officials about sharing sensitive research. The podcast also highlights advancements in chemical weapon destruction, showcasing a bittersweet contrast between healing and harm.
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MegaSyn's Creation
- Sean Eakins and Fabio Urbina developed MegaSyn, an AI for drug discovery.
- MegaSyn searches databases of existing drugs and designs new molecules for rare diseases.
The Conference
- Sean and Fabio presented MegaSyn at a security conference focusing on dual-use technologies.
- Their "Dr. Evil plan" explored how MegaSyn could be misused.
Flipping the Filter
- Inverting MegaSyn's toxicity filter led to the discovery of numerous potential chemical weapons.
- Some were even more potent than VX, a known nerve agent.