Technology advances by leaps and bounds, and new concerns emerge that seem straight out of a science fiction novel. China's spy agency recently raised a warning about the development of "genetic weapons" using artificial intelligence. These weapons may reportedly be designed to target specific ethnicities or races. But how much truth is there in these statements? And how should we react to such revelations?
Genetic weapons: between reality and science fiction
China's spy agency recently issued a warning about the development of these weapons, claiming that some nations may have "ulterior motives" in targeting the Chinese population. These statements, shared by the South China Morning Post, have sparked much concern and debate at an international level. In a message on its official WeChat profile, the Ministry of State Security said that certain countries targeted the Chinese community for "hidden reasons." This is the first occasion on which a Chinese state institution has referred to such a concern in public.
But what exactly are “genetic weapons”? These are biological weapons that use genetics and artificial intelligence to target specific ethnic groups or races. This concept, which might seem like something straight out of a science fiction novel, is actually a real possibility, given the current advancement in genetic data collection and DNA sequencing.
The concerns (and skepticism) of the scientific community
While some rumors claim that these weapons are already in development, other experts believe that it is "purely science fiction." --Oliver Jones, director of the Department of Biosciences and Food Technology at RMIT University, told the South China Morning Post that, at the moment, there is no concrete evidence regarding the development of such weapons.
However, the very idea that these weapons could exist in the future is cause for concern for many. Gene editing and the creation of “super soldiers” are recurring themes in science fiction, but as technology advances, they could become reality.
Artificial intelligence and the future of weapons
Artificial intelligence, in particular, could play a crucial role in the development of these weapons. Could models like ChatGPT, powered by advanced algorithms, be used to create “ethnic bioweapons” capable of targeting specific populations? You know how we think: it is essential that the international community sets ethical and moral limits. The creation of genetic weapons could have devastating consequences for humanity, and as a society, we must be ready to face these challenges with responsibility and awareness.
