The Intelligence from The Economist Apocalypse soon? AI could hasten bioweapons
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May 12, 2026 
Arthur Holland Michel, emerging-tech writer who studies biosecurity, warns AI could enable machine-assisted biological weapons. Josh Roberts, capital-markets correspondent, breaks down why stocks keep rising despite an Iran-related oil shock and what that means for safe-haven assets. Lily Meckel, cultural reporter, shares the delights and challenges of Germany’s vast bread culture.
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AI As An Infinitely Patient Biology Tutor
- AI can act as an 'infinitely patient tutor' that accelerates biological research beyond human limits.
- Arthur Holland-Michel described a model guiding poliovirus assembly by drawing on every scientific paper to troubleshoot complex experiments.
AI Gives Biggest Boost To Trained Biologists
- AI provides 'uplift' by boosting competent researchers more than novices, multiplying existing expertise.
- Arthur Holland-Michel warned PhD-level molecular biologists gain the biggest advantage because models effectively emulate large expert teams.
AI Makes Virus Modification Plausible Now
- Developing a novel pathogen with AI still needs datasets and expertise, but modifying existing viruses is plausible today.
- Arthur Holland-Michel said experts could use AI to alter virus traits and a lucky respiratory infection could spread unpredictably.