Working in US AI policy

Abstract

This podcast episode discusses the problem of global catastrophic biological risks (GCBRs) and potential solutions to reduce those risks. It explores the potential motivations behind states pursuing biological weapons programs, including fear of adversaries, the belief in strategic or tactical advantages, and the belief in impunity from accountability. The episode then introduces a three-part recipe to strengthen global biosecurity by increasing transparency, strengthening international investigative mechanisms, and ensuring meaningful accountability for violations. The importance of proactively anticipating threats through biosecurity intelligence is highlighted. The episode also details the proposed creation of a new international organization dedicated to biosecurity, with a focus on strengthening governance of bioscience research and development. The episode emphasizes the need for a layered defense approach to reducing GCBRs, targeting multiple intervention points throughout the bioscience research lifecycle, including funding, research oversight, material supply, and publication. The podcast highlights the need to address the capabilities gap in international mechanisms for investigating the origins of high-consequence biological events and the proposed creation of a Joint Assessment Mechanism for that purpose. The episode further discusses the potential role of traditional law enforcement in detecting and disrupting bioterrorism threats, underscoring the need for strengthened collaboration between law enforcement and the scientific community. The episode ends with a discussion of career paths for those interested in contributing to the field of biosecurity and the importance of expanding the talent pool beyond the US and Western Europe. – AI-generated abstract