The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council has established artificial intelligence as the sixteenth technology priority within The Apollo Program for Biodefense to develop and deploy the technologies needed to take pandemics and biological attacks off the table. The original fifteen technology priorities established in the Commission’s landmark 2021 report range from vaccine candidates for prototype pathogens to next-generation personal protective equipment. AI is the first new priority added by the Commission since the program’s inception.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for society as AI and biology evolve simultaneously. We can use the increased understanding this evolution offers to defend against biological threats to our Nation and the world. We must seize each opportunity as quickly as it comes along,” said Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense Director and Homeland Security Today Editorial Board Member Dr. Asha M. George.
“Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform how we develop vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments, the very tools our Nation needs to get ahead of the next biological event,” said former Secretary of Health and Human Services and Commission Co-Chair, Donna Shalala. “But without deliberate investment and clear policy, AI could benefit the attacker before it benefits the defender. We need AI to work for us, not against us, when the next crisis occurs.”
AI introduces both offensive risks and defensive capabilities. A top concern is that advanced AI models and biological design tools may accelerate biological weapons development.
“AI is changing the biological threat calculus for state- and non-state adversaries alike,” said former Secretary of Homeland Security and Commission Co-Chair, Governor Tom Ridge. “The federal government is simply not equipped to address these rapid advances in technology. Defending against biological threats in this new era requires sustained public-private cooperation and focus.”
The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense was established in 2014 to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the state of U.S. biodefense efforts, and to issue recommendations to foster change.
