Risks from malicious use

Harm to individuals through fake content

"Malicious actors can use general- purpose AI to generate fake content that harms individuals in a targeted way. For example, they can use such fake content for scams, extortion, psychological manipulation, generation of non- consensual intimate imagery (NCII) and child sexual abuse material (CSAM), or targeted sabotage of individuals and organisations."

Manipulation of public opinion

"Malicious actors can use general- purpose AI to generate fake content such as text, images, or videos, for attempts to manipulate public opinion. Researchers believe that if successful, such attempts could have several harmful consequences."

Cyber offence

"Attackers are beginning to use general- purpose AI for offensive cyber operations, presenting growing but currently limited risks. Current systems have demonstrated capabilities in low- and medium- complexity cybersecurity tasks, with state- sponsored threat actors actively exploring AI to survey target systems. Malicious actors of varying skill levels can leverage these capabilities against people, organisations, and critical infrastructure such as power grids."

Biological and chemical attacks

"Growing evidence shows general- purpose AI advances beneficial to science while also lowering some barriers to chemical and biological weapons development for both novices and experts. New language models can generate step- by- step technical instructions for creating pathogens and toxins that surpass plans written by experts with a PhD and surface information that experts struggle to find online, though their practical utility for novices remains uncertain. Other models demonstrate capabilities in engineering enhanced proteins and analysing which candidate pathogens or toxins are most harmful. Experts could potentially use these in developing both more advanced weapons and defensive measures."