SERDAR HOCAM
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US Army Turns to Artificial Intelligence to Combat Biological Threats

Serdar HocamAuthor & Editor

As part of its new strategy, the US Army is preparing to use artificial intelligence to detect emerging disease outbreaks early and combat biological threats.

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A laboratory technician at the Synthetic Biology and Biosurveillance Branch at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases demonstrates the Biodefense Mass Sequencing and Surveillance assay, developed by a team of researchers under the direction of branch chief Lt. Col. Jeffrey Kugelman during the coronavirus pandemic as a way to rapidly test large numbers of Service Members for exposure to COVID-19. BMASS can be used to test for multiple diseases at the same time, extending its potential beyond just COVID-19 surveillance. (DOD photo by: Paul Lagasse)
A laboratory technician at the Synthetic Biology and Biosurveillance Branch at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases demonstrates the Biodefense Mass Sequencing and Surveillance assay, developed by a team of researchers under the direction of branch chief Lt. Col. Jeffrey Kugelman during the coronavirus pandemic as a way to rapidly test large numbers of Service Members for exposure to COVID-19. BMASS can be used to test for multiple diseases at the same time, extending its potential beyond just COVID-19 surveillance. (DOD photo by: Paul Lagasse)

Under its new 2026 Biodefense Strategy, the US Army aims to combine environmental, clinical, logistics, and intelligence data with artificial intelligence to detect evolving disease outbreaks early and counter biological threats.

AI-Powered Biodefense Strategy

The US Army has moved to combine environmental, clinical, logistics, chemical, biological, and intelligence data with artificial intelligence in order to detect unseen and emerging disease outbreaks before they spread or harm the force.

A Major Transformation with the 2026 Strategy

Senior officials stated that with the 2026 Biodefense Strategy, biodefense is being transformed from a localized medical or chemical specialty into an integrated, army-wide operational priority.

Convergence of Biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence

Former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll emphasized that advanced biotechnology and artificial intelligence have significantly lowered the barrier to producing biological weapons, posing a strategic threat to the nation's ability to respond to crises.

Coordination with the Department of Defense

It was stated that coordination with other services and the department is extremely important to ensure the strategy is integrated quickly and fully with the Department of Defense's overarching approach.

Predictive Analysis and Human Oversight

It was noted that artificial intelligence and machine learning are utilized to bring together disparate data streams to accelerate early analysis, with human oversight remaining involved throughout the process.

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