In his recent annual address regarding national security threats, Sir Ken McCallum, the head of the UK’s domestic intelligence service, MI5, highlighted the intersection of artificial intelligence and biological warfare. McCallum explicitly warned that AI has the potential to “change the stakes” regarding both existing and emerging bioweapon threats.

The core concern raised by the intelligence agency is that AI technology could democratize access to specialized knowledge that was previously restricted to state-level actors or highly trained scientists. Specifically, MI5 suggests that AI chatbots could provide a pathway for individuals or groups with limited technical expertise—referred to as “rogue, unskilled bad actors”—to navigate the complexities of biological research. According to the report, these tools could assist in compiling technical data, planning experimental procedures, and troubleshooting challenges that would otherwise require significant laboratory experience.

While the report acknowledges that hurdles remain in the physical creation of such weapons, the primary focus is on the reduction of the knowledge gap. By lowering the barrier to entry for non-state actors, AI could potentially allow those working in improvised settings, such as garage laboratories, to bypass traditional educational and resource requirements. The intelligence community is currently evaluating how these digital tools might be regulated or monitored to prevent the dissemination of information that could facilitate the development of harmful biological agents.