Aug 7, 2026 · 33 min
AI designs new viruses as biosecurity fears grow
Artificial Intelligence used to create new viruses
The episode connects a potential medical breakthrough to the risk that the same technology could enable harmful infections, alongside major political and public-health failures.
- 1AI-generated viral genomes could accelerate medical research while creating new biosecurity risks.
- 2Weapons shortages, Meta’s child-safety penalties, and football’s governance crisis expose institutional vulnerabilities.
- 3Online cancer-cure claims show how anecdotes and social influence can displace clinical evidence.
Don't miss
Amanda Knox discusses using comedy to address trauma, gendered safety, and the media coverage surrounding her wrongful conviction.
The brief
Stanford researchers have used AI to design complete viral genomes, raising a sharp question: can medical advances be separated from the possibility of creating harmful infections?
The episode then turns to reports that the Iran war is draining US weapons stocks, especially air-defense interceptors, with consequences for Ukraine and future conflicts.
Meta faces nearly $1 billion in penalties over child-safety failures, while Mexico’s Ayotzinapa case returns to the headlines after years of false leads and public skepticism.
A BBC investigation finds fenbendazole and ivermectin promoted online as cancer cures, as doctors and charities warn that anecdotes can pull patients away from effective treatment.
Amanda Knox is preparing an Edinburgh comedy show about wrongful conviction and trauma; the episode closes with football turmoil and a medieval kneecap returned to Glastonbury Abbey.
Featuring
Amanda Knox
BBC World Service
Liza DonnellyBooks & mentions
Listen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.