Reaction: Navigating the promises and perils of AI-powered drug synthesis

Rick Bright is the chief executive of Bright Global Health and former deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response and director of BARDA at the US Department of Health and Human Services. An international expert in biodefense, emergency preparedness, pharmaceutical innovation, and public health, Dr. Bright is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, senior fellow of the Foreign Policy Association, and advisory board member for CEPI, FIND, the 100 Days Mission, and the National Academy of Science's Forum on Microbial Threats. He holds a PhD in immunology from Emory University and a BS in biology and physical sciences from Auburn University at Montgomery. Rick Bright is the chief executive of Bright Global Health and former deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response and director of BARDA at the US Department of Health and Human Services. An international expert in biodefense, emergency preparedness, pharmaceutical innovation, and public health, Dr. Bright is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, senior fellow of the Foreign Policy Association, and advisory board member for CEPI, FIND, the 100 Days Mission, and the National Academy of Science's Forum on Microbial Threats. He holds a PhD in immunology from Emory University and a BS in biology and physical sciences from Auburn University at Montgomery. Catalyst: Curtailing the scalable supply of fentanyl by using chemical AIMikulak-Klucznik et al.ChemApril 23, 2024In BriefSynthesis-design algorithms equipped with the knowledge of industrial reactions can map out all scalable synthetic routes to arbitrary targets, including illicit substances, such as fentanyl and its derivatives. The network of synthetic solutions thus created helps identify—and subsequently close—the loopholes in the existing regulatory schemes. Industrially oriented chemical AI can be a powerful tool in the hands of governmental agencies, but care must also be taken to limit its availability to unverified actors. Full-Text PDF Reaction: Don't hate the player in chemical AI; hate the gameGordon BroderickChemApril 23, 2024In BriefAgain we must balance the incredible potential for good against the competing potential for misuse of a technology—this time one that demonstrates an accessibility, ease of use, and speed of proliferation like never encountered before. As we harness this tool to also improve law enforcement, the resulting AI arms race could provide the incentive to invest in complementary efforts that more directly address the root cause of misuse. Full-Text PDF