UNIDIR, in collaboration with the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC-ISU) at the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), is organizing a series of online technical briefs on emerging technologies and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).
Rapid advances in frontier artificial intelligence, including increasingly general-purpose AI systems, are beginning to reshape how biological research and development is conducted. While these technologies offer significant benefits for health, science, and international cooperation, they may also introduce new challenges for biosecurity governance under the BWC.
This technical brief will provide States Parties with a structured opportunity to reflect on how frontier AI may affect the implementation and future effectiveness of the Convention. Bringing together perspectives from regulatory practice, civil society, regional policy approaches, and the Global South, the discussion will focus on concrete challenges for the BWC and practical, implementation-oriented pathways rather than abstract technological trends.
The webinar will explore how risk-based AI governance, anticipatory oversight, and international cooperation could help address AI-enabled biosecurity risks while preserving peaceful uses of biotechnology and supporting Article X objectives. Through a problem–pathway format, the session aims to support more forward-looking discussions on science and technology and contribute policy-relevant insights to ongoing work under the BWC, including the Friends of the Chair on Science and Technology.
Speakers
- Friederike Grosse-Holz, EU AI Office, AI Safety Unit
- Brian Tse, Concordia AI
- Cecil Abungu, University of Cambridge (UK)
Moderated by Dr Clarissa Rios Rojas, Political Affairs Officer at the BWC-ISU, UNODA
When and where
Thursday, 5 February 2026 | 13:15-14:45 CET | Online
Participants
We encourage the participation of State representatives and experts working on or interested in issues pertaining to the BWC.
RSVP
Please register here to receive the link to the online event.
Further information
For any questions, please contact Dr Clarissa Rios Rojas at clarissa.riosrojas@un.org.
In partnership with
