AI could not defeat humanity with an engineered virus on theory alone, scientist says

Artificial intelligence would not be able to defeat humans using a deadly virus based on theoretical calculations alone, according to Nikolay Nikitin, Doctor of Biological Sciences and a professor at Lomonosov Moscow State University's Department of Virology, as reported by TASS.

Nikitin's central argument, as relayed by TASS, is that AI systems lack the ability to experimentally verify their own theories and calculations, a step he considers essential in biological research such as virus design. In his view, theoretical modeling alone is not sufficient to translate an AI-generated concept into a functioning, dangerous pathogen.

The comments come amid broader public and scientific debate over the potential risks posed by advanced AI systems, including concerns raised by some researchers internationally that AI tools could, in theory, assist in designing novel pathogens. Nikitin's remarks, as reported by TASS, push back against the more alarmist end of that debate specifically with respect to the creation of an effective, deadly virus.

TASS's report does not specify the context in which Nikitin made his comments, such as whether they were delivered at a conference, in an interview, or as part of a published paper, nor does it detail what particular AI capabilities or claims he was responding to.

The debate over AI and biosecurity risks has drawn increasing attention from scientists, policymakers and AI developers in recent years, with various perspectives on how significant the threat of AI-assisted bioweapon design actually is, given the practical laboratory verification steps that experts like Nikitin say remain necessary regardless of computational advances.