In her recent book on the history and future of biological warfare, author Annie Jacobsen contends that the focus on AI-driven bioweapons may be misplaced. While much of the current public discourse centers on how artificial intelligence could accelerate the development of pathogens, Jacobsen argues that the fundamental risks have long existed due to established scientific techniques.

Jacobsen suggests that the ability to manipulate biological organisms to create extinction-level events is already within the reach of current scientific practice. By shifting the focus away from emerging technologies like AI, she highlights that the core danger lies in the inherent nature of biological research and the potential for it to be weaponized by state or non-state actors. The report emphasizes that the threat of biological warfare is not a future hypothetical dependent on new software, but a persistent reality rooted in existing laboratory capabilities. While the discourse surrounding AI and biosecurity continues to grow, this perspective serves as a reminder that the foundational tools for biological harm are already well-documented and accessible to those with the necessary expertise.