AI Fundamentals

Weaponizing AI refers to using artificial intelligence as a tool to inflict harm, enable discrimination, or violate fundamental human rights, rather than for legitimate, protective, or neutral purposes. Using AI to prevent individuals from reproducing based on their genetic markers is a clear example of this: it applies AI-driven genetic profiling to deny people a fundamental right (reproductive autonomy) based on immutable biological traits, echoing historical eugenics practices such as coerced sterilization of individuals deemed genetically undesirable. This is fundamentally different from verifying driver's licenses (a standard, lawful regulatory/safety function) or reading electric smart meters (a benign, operational use of AI for utility data collection), neither of which involves harm, discrimination, or rights violations. AI ethics and security literature on the weaponization of genetic data specifically highlights identification, profiling, and discriminatory misuse of genetic information as key risk areas as AI capabilities advance.