The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has embarked on a two-year collaborative research initiative with the nonprofit Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC). This partnership seeks to develop screening and safety mechanisms to mitigate the potential risks associated with the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in nucleic acid synthesis, an expanding domain within synthetic biology that holds considerable promise alongside significant risks.

NIST initiated this joint effort in response to a directive outlined in the recent Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence, which mandates various agencies, including NIST, to establish standards, best practices, and implementation guidelines for nucleic acid synthesis, particularly in light of AI advancements. The Executive Order underscores NIST's responsibility to engage with industry and stakeholders to devise safeguards against the potential misuse of AI in genetic material synthesis, and this collaboration with EBRC is a critical step in that direction.

“This agreement is the first step toward promoting safe research in engineering biology as tasked to NIST under the recent AI executive order,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio. “The promise of this technology is immense, but clearly safeguards are needed to protect the public, and this is an important first step toward creating them.” 

Synthetic nucleic acids have been instrumental in driving breakthroughs in biotechnology, leading to the development of novel drugs and therapies. However, the proliferation and accessibility of nucleic acid synthesis, coupled with advancements in artificial intelligence, have raised apprehensions regarding safety implications, posing potential risks to public health, the environment, and national security.

The partnership between NIST and EBRC aims to outline the essential infrastructure required to ensure safety and security in nucleic acid synthesis. As part of this cooperative venture, the organizations will actively seek input from diverse stakeholders, including industry players, academic institutions, government agencies, and other relevant entities.

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