A vast array of technologies are rapidly developing and converging to fundamentally change 
how research is performed, and who is able to perform it. Gene editing, DNA synthesis, 
artificial intelligence, automation, cloud-computing, and others are all contributing to the 
growing intelligence and connectivity of laboratories. It is currently possible to perform 
a growing number of research tasks automatically and remotely with a few clicks of the 
mouse. And with the barriers of entry to synthetic biology tools like CRISPR decreasing, 
they will no doubt be subject to automation as well, and may even be coupled with artificial 
intelligence to optimize the power of genetic engineering. While this may be a boon for 
the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics by parties that have traditionally not 
had access to the necessary tools, it also opens the risk of nefarious use to engineer 
or edit biological agents or toxins. While there have been attempts at governance to 
limit the avenues by which a bad actor may gain access to the pathogens or tools to 
create biological weapons, the ever-increasing pace of innovation has left gaps that may 
be exploited. Fortunately, investment in technologies such as artificial intelligence and 
sequencing may also function as the best defense against the growing threat of misuse of 
biological agents.

The Intelligent and Connected Bio-Labs of The Future: Promise and Peril in The Fourth Industrial Revolution PDF

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