In his annual speech on threats to the nation, Sir Ken McCallum, the head of the UK’s intelligence service, MI5, warned that AI had the potential to ‘change the stakes’ on existing and even new bioweapons. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
To find out why, and how, Ian Sample speaks to Dr Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. He explains what has governments so worried and what measures could be put in place to reduce the risks.
In the podcast, Dr Inglesby discusses the potential impact of AI on the development of bioweapons. He notes that with the advancement of modern biotechnologies, the accessibility of AI tools is increasing. This could heighten the risks of creating and using biological weapons.
The interview explores the reasons behind government concerns. Dr Inglesby addresses the ethical and security aspects of using AI in biological research. He also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and strict regulation.
According to the expert, several measures could be taken to reduce the threat. These include strengthening safety standards when working with biological materials, establishing ethical norms for developers and users of AI systems, and sharing information at the international level. The need to reinforce the Biological Weapons Convention is also mentioned.
While the podcast does not provide specific examples of AI's role in bioweapon development, it focuses on the general risks. Dr Inglesby highlights that this issue is not only scientific but also political and social in nature.
The Science Weekly podcast can be listened to via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, RSS, or downloaded. It is presented by Ian Sample, produced by Madeleine Finlay, with sound design by Ross Burns, and the executive producer was Ellie Bury.
Note that this material was published on 20 October 2026. The issues raised in the podcast remain relevant as AI technologies are rapidly advancing and their applications expanding. Experts believe that the impact of AI on biosecurity must be carefully monitored.