Why Google DeepMind is watermarking ‘Biology’

Google DeepMind, Google’s AI lab, recently introduced a technology called SynthID Bio that essentially puts a hidden watermark on proteins designed by artificial intelligence (AI). The main motive of this is that anyone can later check where a design came from, serving as a key security measure in strengthening biosecurity. Moreover, this tech will also serve a way to mitigate the risk of mislabeled synthetic 3D structures polluting public databases and misleading downstream research. The key point is that the watermark doesn’t get in the way of how the protein works.Sarah Carter, a biosecurity policy expert and Principal at Science Policy Consulting who reviewed the work, called it “an important piece of the puzzle for tracking the provenance of biological designs.” She said that by linking designs to the model developer, the watermarks “empower developers to lead on safety and allow synthesis providers to streamline screening for customers who have…