OECD Workshop on the governance of AI and SynBio convergence
From 21-22 October 2024, IBBIS Executive Director, Piers Millett, participated in this OECD workshop looking at governance options for the convergence of artificial intelligence and biological engineering.
The workshop explored future governance options and considered:
Dr Millett was invited to brief participants on the social and economic impacts of the convergence of AI and synthetic biology. Piers highlighted the role that DNA synthesis screening can play in managing risks from the convergence of AI and synthetic biology, in particular in safeguarding the interface between digital design and biological artifact.
Piers also discussed the opportunity costs of mismanaging governance – both in terms of too much control resulting impeding the many beneficial applications, and too little control opening the door to accidents and misuse that could undermine public trust in the technologies. He also discussed opportunities for developing governance approaches that addressed dual use life science technologies more broadly. He suggested that better proxies for assessing harm and intent are needed to improve past regulatory efforts. Piers concluded by discussing the management of information hazards in this context.
Photo: OECD/Victor Tonelli
The workshop explored future governance options and considered:
- How can we ensure appropriate human oversight and ethical decision-making in increasingly automated biological design processes?
- What safeguards or screening mechanisms are needed to prevent AI systems from inadvertently generating harmful or dual-use biological entities?
- How should responsibility and accountability be assigned when AI plays a significant role in biological design and experimentation?
Dr Millett was invited to brief participants on the social and economic impacts of the convergence of AI and synthetic biology. Piers highlighted the role that DNA synthesis screening can play in managing risks from the convergence of AI and synthetic biology, in particular in safeguarding the interface between digital design and biological artifact.
Piers also discussed the opportunity costs of mismanaging governance – both in terms of too much control resulting impeding the many beneficial applications, and too little control opening the door to accidents and misuse that could undermine public trust in the technologies. He also discussed opportunities for developing governance approaches that addressed dual use life science technologies more broadly. He suggested that better proxies for assessing harm and intent are needed to improve past regulatory efforts. Piers concluded by discussing the management of information hazards in this context.
Photo: OECD/Victor Tonelli