TechnologyAugust 25, 2026

biodefense

BY-oh-dee-fens

Definition

Measures and strategies taken to protect against the harmful use of biological agents or naturally occurring biological threats.

Etymology

A compound word formed from the Greek 'bios' (life) and the Latin 'defensio' (defense). It emerged in the 20th century to describe efforts to guard against biological warfare or pathogens.

In the news

The author notes that existing AI safety efforts already include biodefense as a critical area, suggesting that standardized testing should start here.

AI Systems Are Getting More Powerful. The Ability to Verify Must Keep Pace.

Read the full article ↗

Tech Policy Press

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