The Growing Concern Over Artificial Intelligence and Biological Weapons

In recent years, the world of science has seen incredible progress. New developments in biotechnology allow researchers to study and change pathogens—the viruses, bacteria, or other germs that cause disease—with great precision. While this research is often meant to help humanity, experts are now warning that these same tools could be misused. A major concern is that modern technology, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), could be used to develop biological weapons.

According to Deutsche Welle (DW), the idea that AI could help create weapons might sound like something from a science fiction movie, but it is a real worry for security services and international organizations. In October 2026, Ken McCallum, the head of the British intelligence service MI5, warned that AI could increase the danger from both existing and new biological weapons. This risk is not limited to governments; experts are also worried about non-state actors, such as small groups or individuals, gaining access to this technology.

One of the biggest challenges is the fine line between helpful research and dangerous activity. In September 2026, the American AI company Anthropic released a report showing that it had blocked several attempts to use its AI assistant, Claude, for research related to biological weapons. These attempts included requests for help with "gain-of-function" research—a type of study where scientists make a pathogen more transmissible or dangerous to better understand how to fight it. Other requests involved studying bird flu variants that could easily spread to mammals. Anthropic noted that while this research could be used for medical prevention, it is very difficult to distinguish between legitimate science and potential misuse.

To understand the threat, it is helpful to know what biological weapons are. They are part of a group known as ABC weapons, which also includes atomic (nuclear) and chemical weapons. These are often called weapons of mass destruction because they can cause widespread harm. A biological weapon uses a biological substance, such as a virus or bacteria, and a delivery mechanism to spread it. This could be done through contaminated food, spraying systems, or even missiles. Unlike chemical weapons, which use toxic substances like sarin gas to cause harm within minutes, biological weapons cause infectious diseases that may take days or even weeks to appear.

Historically, many pathogens have been studied for their potential to be used as weapons. These include plague, smallpox, and botulinum toxin. Anthrax is perhaps the most well-known example. It is highly dangerous because its spores—a protective shell that allows the bacteria to survive—can live in the environment for a very long time. Because these substances are so dangerous, international organizations have long worked to define and control them. They define a biological weapon as the intentional release of biological substances to injure people, animals, or plants.

The rapid speed of AI makes these old concerns feel new again. AI can process vast amounts of data in seconds, which could theoretically help someone identify or modify a pathogen much faster than before. This ability to analyze data at high speeds is exactly what makes security experts nervous. They worry that if the wrong people gain access to these powerful AI models, they could bypass the safety barriers that currently exist in laboratories.

Moving forward, the international community faces a difficult task. Scientists want to continue their work to prevent future pandemics and create new vaccines. However, they must also ensure that their research does not provide a roadmap for those who wish to do harm. The difficulty in separating helpful science from dangerous research remains one of the biggest problems in controlling modern biotechnology. As technology continues to evolve, the debate over how to safely manage these tools will likely become even more important. Security services and researchers must work together to create rules that allow for innovation while keeping the world safe from the threat of weaponized disease.