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‘These risks are real’: the threat of AI bioweapons – podcast
UK NewsTechnology•October 20, 2026 at 5:00 AMNational

‘These risks are real’: the threat of AI bioweapons – podcast

By Presented by Ian Sample, produced by Madeleine Finlay, sound design by Ross Burns, the executive producer was Ellie Bury•The Guardian - UK News

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. 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 risksCould AI ‘change the stakes’ in the development of bioweapons?Support the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...

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. 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

Could AI ‘change the stakes’ in the development of bioweapons?

Support the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod

Continue reading...