How AI is supercharging bioweapons

An episode of the Iran: The Latest podcast, hosted by The Telegraph, titled "How AI is supercharging bioweapons" was published on October 22, 2025 and runs 21 minutes.

October 22, 2025 ·21m · Iran: The Latest

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Summary

Last month, Donald Trump raised the spectre of biological weapons at the UN, calling on the world to help him end their development.He said AI could help enforce the ban on these weapons.But scientists are increasingly concerned that technologies like AI and gene editing tools could also make them more accessible – and even more dangerous.So we’re asking: has the threat of biological weapons returned?We are joined by Dr Brett Edwards, Senior Lecturer in Security and Public Policy at the University of Bath. His research focuses on both the history and contemporary threat posed by biological and chemical weapons.Plus we speak to Dr Ken Alibek, Former Deputy Chief of the Soviet Union's Biological Weapons, who lifted the lid on their secret bioweapons programmes to find out what threat Russia poses today.Producer: Sophie O'SullivanExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsStudio Operator: Meghan SearleFor more insights and exclusive content, sign up to the Global Health newsletter: https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/global-health-security/Contact us with feedback or ideas:[email protected]@TelGlobalHealth@venetiarainey@ascottgeddesDr Brett Edwards hosts the Poisons and Pestilence Podcast on the history of biological and chemical weapons and warfare.Dr Ken Alibek is the author of 'Biohazard'.Credit: UN clip - ABC News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Description

Last month, Donald Trump raised the spectre of biological weapons at the UN, calling on the world to help him end their development.

He said AI could help enforce the ban on these weapons.

But scientists are increasingly concerned that technologies like AI and gene editing tools could also make them more accessible – and even more dangerous.

So we’re asking: has the threat of biological weapons returned?

We are joined by Dr Brett Edwards, Senior Lecturer in Security and Public Policy at the University of Bath. His research focuses on both the history and contemporary threat posed by biological and chemical weapons.

Plus we speak to Dr Ken Alibek, Former Deputy Chief of the Soviet Union's Biological Weapons, who lifted the lid on their secret bioweapons programmes to find out what threat Russia poses today.

Producer: Sophie O'Sullivan

Executive Producer: Louisa Wells

Studio Operator: Meghan Searle

For more insights and exclusive content, sign up to the Global Health newsletter: https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/global-health-security/

[email protected]

@TelGlobalHealth

@venetiarainey

@ascottgeddes

Dr Brett Edwards hosts the Poisons and Pestilence Podcast on the history of biological and chemical weapons and warfare.

Dr Ken Alibek is the author of 'Biohazard'.

Credit: UN clip - ABC News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.