Using AI systems to develop cyber weapons (e.g., by coding cheaper, more effective malware), develop new or enhance existing weapons (e.g., Lethal Autonomous Weapons or chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives), or use weapons to cause mass harm.
"Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks are broad classes of threats that have the potential to cause harm to a large number of people. Explosives are also sometimes included in this category, often referred to as CBRNE...The key characteristic of CBRN risk is that it stems from misuse of capable models with a direct pathway to harm, where a malicious actor is able to carry out consequential attacks more efficiently and effectively with the help of AI."(p. 7)
Other risks from Chin (2025) (5)
Cyber offense
4.2 Cyberattacks, weapon development or use, and mass harmSudden loss of control
7.1 AI pursuing its own goals in conflict with human goals or valuesGradual loss of control
5.2 Loss of human agency and autonomyEnvironmental risk
6.6 Environmental harmGeopolitical risk
6.4 Competitive dynamics