A safety-centric perspective on innovation and risk in the use of artificial intelligence in genomics

Abstract

Adopting a safety-centric approach, this article explores how generative artificial intelligence (AI), and more specifically, foundation models for biological sequences, can exacerbate data quality issues, technical biases, and dual-use potential, particularly in critical applications such as clinical genetics, precision medicine, and pathogen engineering. This work centres on how misuse risks emerge throughout the innovation pipeline and how these intersect with the growing accessibility of generative genomic models. Particular attention is given to dual-use governance and infrastructure hardening in sequence analysis workflows. The work aims to provide scientists, regulators, and policymakers with a toolkit to discuss beneficial innovation in genomic AI while maintaining robust safeguards against harm and misuse.