High-containment laboratories (HCLs) are expanding worldwide as countries invest in infectious disease research and health security. These facilities are essential for developing vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, but their rapid growth has outpaced transparency and consistent oversight. Confidence in compliance with the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) is weakened by these variations in regulatory capacity and reporting.

Emerging technologies can help address these challenges. Artificial intelligence (AI) and distributed ledger technology (DLT) can strengthen national biosafety systems through enhanced data integrity, traceability and transparency in HCLs. Three use cases illustrate prospective applications: AI-enabled DNA screening to manage synthesis risks; safeguarding laboratory data and records with AI and DLT to improve accountability; and DLT-backed provenance tracking to monitor pathogen materials.

Embedded within national oversight frameworks, these tools could enhance transparency and collaboration through more standardized reporting. In this way they could reinforce biological weapons prohibition norms and build confidence in peaceful intent.

Table of contents

I. High-containment laboratories

II Emerging technology use cases for high-containment laboratories

III. The way forward

Introduction