I'm sorry, you're not going to die from an AI-engineered supervirus (blog.genesmindsmachines.com)

In a recent commentary, economist Noah Smith speculated on the creation of AI-engineered superviruses, suggesting a scenario where a teenager uses AI to design lethal viruses that wipe out 90% of humanity. However, experts in computational biology and virology argue that such narratives are not only far-fetched but manipulate fear around AI's capabilities. They emphasize the complexity of virus design, noting that even with advanced AI tools, the intricacies of virology present significant challenges that would prevent a layperson from causing global devastation through engineered viruses. The discourse highlights a crucial point for the AI/ML community: while AI’s potential in biological modeling is growing, the foundational scientific knowledge required to engineer highly contagious and lethal viruses is still in its infancy. The article contends that fears surrounding AI-designed superviruses distract from genuine threats posed by naturally occurring pathogens, which are consistently responsible for outbreaks. Experts advocate focusing on real-world viruses, underscoring that concerns should be directed towards naturally emerging infections rather than hypothetical AI scenarios that lack credible grounding in current scientific understanding.