MIT AI Risk Repository · Risk Category · 68.01.00
CBRN
Description
"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."
From Dimensional Characterization and Pathway Modeling for Catastrophic AI Risks (Chin2025), as extracted by the MIT AI Risk Repository (CC BY 4.0).
Classification
- Domain
- 4. Malicious actors
- Causal entity
- Human
- Intent
- Intentional
- Timing
- Post-deployment
Subdomain definition: Using AI systems to develop cyber weapons (e.g., coding cheaper, more effective malware), develop new or enhance existing weapons (e.g., Lethal Autonomous Weapons or CBRNE), or use weapons to cause mass harm.
Real-world incidents in this subdomain
- Anthropic's Claude Was Reportedly Jailbroken To Allegedly Help Steal Sensitive Mexican Government Data
- OpenAI ChatGPT Models Reportedly Jailbroken to Provide Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear Weapons Instructions
- Anthropic Reportedly Identifies AI Misuse in Extortion Campaigns, North Korean IT Schemes, and Ransomware Sales
- LAMEHUG Malware Reportedly Integrates Large Language Model for Real-Time Command Generation in a Purported APT28-Linked Cyberattack
- Reported AI-Aided Development of Explosive Devices by Long Island Resident Michael Gann
- AI Chatbot Allegedly Used to Research Explosive Materials in Palm Springs Fertility Clinic Bombing