Exploring the Intersection between Artificial Intelligence and Biological Sciences: Focus on Uses and Challenges

This report examines how artificial intelligence is transforming biosafety, biosecurity, biodefense, and global health, while simultaneously introducing new biological risks. Drawing on a systematic review of 169 scientific articles and surveys of life science professionals across Latin America, it finds that AI tools are increasingly applied to epidemiological prediction, protein design, and laboratory automation, yet regulatory frameworks, technical literacy, and institutional oversight remain limited. The report warns that dual-use risks—where the same AI systems that drive biotechnological innovation could also enable malicious or unsafe applications—are escalating, particularly through open-source large language models. It calls for robust governance, red-teaming and audit mechanisms, continuous training in AI ethics and security, and international collaboration to ensure that innovation in the life sciences advances safely, ethically, and inclusively.