As advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) propel progress in the life sciences, they may also enable the weaponisation and misuse of biological agents. This article differentiates two classes of AI tools that pose such biosecurity risks: large language models (LLMs) and biological design tools (BDTs). LLMs, such as GPT-4, are already able to provide dual-use information that removes some barriers encountered by historical biological weapons efforts. As LLMs are turned into lab assistants and autonomous science tools, this will further increase their ability to support research. Thus, LLMs will in particular lower barriers to biological misuse. In contrast, BDTs will expand the capabilities of sophisticated actors. Concretely, BDTs may enable the creation of pandemic pathogens substantially worse than anything seen to date and could enable forms of more predictable and targeted biological weapons. In combination, LLMs and BDTs could raise the ceiling of harm from biological agents and could make them broadly accessible. A range of interventions would help to manage risks. Independent pre-release evaluations could ensure that developers have eliminated dangerous capabilities of new models. Risks from powerful science tools might be mitigated through providing differentiated access to legitimate researchers. Lastly, essential for mitigating risks will be universal and enhanced screening of gene synthesis products.

翻译：随着人工智能（AI）的进步推动生命科学的发展，也可能导致生物制剂的武器化和滥用。本文区分了两类构成此类生物安全风险的AI工具：大型语言模型（LLMs）和生物设计工具（BDTs）。LLMs（如GPT-4）已能够提供双重用途信息，从而消除历史上生物武器研发所面临的某些障碍。当LLMs被用作实验室助手和自主科学工具时，将进一步提升其支持研究的能力。因此，LLMs尤其会降低生物滥用的门槛。相比之下，BDTs将扩展复杂行为体的能力。具体而言，BDTs可能促成产生比迄今为止所见严重得多的流行病原体，并可能催生更具可预测性和目标性的生物武器形式。LLMs与BDTs相结合，可能提高生物制剂的危害上限，并使其广泛可及。一系列干预措施有助于管理风险。独立发布前评估可确保开发者消除新模型的危险能力。通过向合法研究者提供差异化访问权限，可缓解强大科学工具带来的风险。最后，对基因合成产品实施普遍且加强的筛查，对于降低风险至关重要。