Former Google Executive Warns AI Can Generate Synthetic Viruses, Spark Pandemics

“That’s where we need containment. We have to limit access to the tools and the know-how to carry out that kind of experimentation,” he said in The Diary of a CEO podcast.

“We can’t let just anyone have access to them. We need to limit who can use the AI software, the cloud systems, and even some of the biological material.”

“And of course on the biology side it means restricting access to some of the substances,” adding that AI development needs to be approached with a “precautionary principle”.

Mr. Suleyman’s remarks align with concerns raised in a recent study, which revealed that even undergraduate students lacking a biology background can receive suggestions for bio-weapons from AI systems.

Researchers, including those from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, discovered that chatbots could propose “four potential pandemic pathogens” within an hour and provide explanations on how to create them using synthetic DNA.

The research found chatbots also “supplied the names of DNA synthesis companies unlikely to screen orders, identified detailed protocols and how to troubleshoot them, and recommended that anyone lacking the skills to perform reverse genetics engage a core facility or contract research organisation”.