Top Scientists Warn AI Might Soon Brew Bioweapons, But Let’s Keep Data Open Anyway
KEY POINTS
- •More than 100 researchers from global institutions proposed new governance for infectious disease datasets to mitigate bioweapon risks.
- •They emphasized protecting only narrowly defined high-risk data while keeping most biological information open for research.
- •Assistant Professor Jassi Pannu highlighted dangers of viral data leaking online and called for regulated access to prevent misuse.
Over 100 brainiacs from Johns Hopkins, Oxford, Stanford, Columbia, and NYU now want ‘guardrails’ on viral genetics datasets lest AI goes full evil scientist designing deadly viruses, because apparently letting biology’s Pandora’s box online is like handing out live grenades at a toddler’s birthday party. They're urging precision lockdowns on the 'high-risk' stuff but keep the rest open — because science like speed dating, not locked in a bunker. Meanwhile, Trump-era policies push a ‘move fast’ AI agenda, despite none of us knowing if we’re accidentally teaching AI to craft a new plague. Assistant Professor Jassi Pannu warns viral data splashes online are like posting your flu germs on social media: anybody can swipe and make horror sequels. The framework urges vigilance because guessing AI’s devilish potential is about as reliable as using a Magic 8-Ball to predict the apocalypse.
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Scientists want to lock down viral AI data like secret recipes, but the web’s already buffet-style open bar for bioweapons enthusiasts. Who thought open data + AI = scripting the next viral hit—literally?
The idea of policing viral genetics on the internet is like trying to stop a goose from honking in Times Square: admirable but inevitably chaotic.
AI trained on viral DNA might spit out a pandemic playlist, but hey, at least Johns Hopkins got that ‘guardrails’ memo, right?
Source: Axios | Published: 2/17/2026 | Author: Megan Morrone
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