Leaders in biosecurity commend NSCEB Interim Report and AIxBio policy options paper, make additional recommendations

Center News

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April 9, 2024 – The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security (CHS), Federation of American Scientists (FAS), Nuclear Threat Initiative Global Biological Policy and Programs (NTI|bio), and Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service provided comments to the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) on its recent Interim Report and White Paper on Policy Options for Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology (AIxBio). Collectively, these organizations represent some of the major civil society organizations with expertise in biosecurity that are developing policies around the governance of AIxBio. NSCEB was tasked with reviewing how advancements in emerging biotechnology and related technologies will shape current and future national defense activities. The NSCEB’s Interim Report was submitted in December 2023. The final report will include policy recommendations that respond to its mandate and is due to Congress in December 2024.

The response letter presents a detailed outline offering targeted recommendations and select responses to:

  1. Prioritize the mitigation of high-consequence biological risks that could be generated by AI model capabilities.
  2. Strengthen AIxBio policy options to ensure responsible and trustworthy biotechnology innovation.
  3. Add considerations for NSCEB to adopt for its final report that would help fully harness the benefits of AIxBio technologies while improving their safety and security.

CHS and the other signatories highly commend the leadership and staff of the NSCEB for its recommendations to date, which aim to promote the responsible innovation and development of biotechnology. Specifically noteworthy are the NSCEB’s 3 pillars of its path forward—(1) preparing the US government for the age of biology; (2) accelerating innovation and embracing biotechnology; and (3) protecting against misuse and promoting norms for responsible use—which provide a good foundation for the NSCEB to meet its mission.

CHS hopes the collective suggestions provided in the comments help expand and strengthen many of the already solid pillars and recommendations in NSCEB’s Interim Report and White Paper on AIxBio Policy Options.