The cutting-edge number-crunching capabilities of artificial intelligence mean that AI systems are able to spot diseases early, manage chemical reactions, and explain some of the mysteries of the Universe. New research emphasizes how easily AI models can be trained for malicious purposes as well as good, specifically in this case to imagine the designs for hypothetical bioweapon agents. A trial run with an existing AI identified 40,000 such bioweapon chemicals in the space of only six hours. In other words, while AI can be incredibly powerful – and much, much faster than humans – when it comes to spotting chemical combinations and drug compounds to improve our health, the same power can be used to dream up potentially very dangerous and deadly substances. "We have spent decades using computers and AI to improve human health – not to degrade it," the researchers write in a new commentary.

AI's sophisticated ability to analyze numbers means that AI systems can detect diseases early, perform chemical reactions and unlock some of the mysteries of the universe. But there are downsides to this staggering and almost limitless artificial brain power. New research underscores how easy it is to train artificial intelligence models for malicious and good purposes, especially in the context of visualizing the design of speculative biological weapons agents. A pilot experiment using existing artificial intelligence identified 40,000 of these bioweapon chemicals in just 6 hours. In other words, while AI can be very powerful--and much faster than humans--it is likely to use the same powers when it comes to finding chemical and pharmaceutical compounds to improve our health.