Frontier AI models

Anthropic, the AI company behind the Claude chatbot, is reported to be operating a biology lab, raising the question of why a software firm needs wet-lab capabilities. The likely explanation being discussed is AI safety: companies test whether frontier models can assist in dangerous biological experiments. The move has fueled debate over how closely AI developers should work with biological materials.

A new evaluation called Roboharm examines whether frontier AI policies used in robotics actually refuse dangerous instructions, such as commands that could cause physical harm. The benchmark, hosted by Robocurve, is drawing attention among AI safety researchers and robotics developers, who are debating how well current models handle safety refusals when embedded in embodied systems rather than text-only settings.

A new analysis argues that Europe's failure to develop frontier AI models carries serious costs for its cyber defence and broader strategic autonomy. The piece contends that without homegrown advanced AI capabilities, the EU remains dependent on foreign technology providers, weakening its ability to protect critical infrastructure and respond to cyber threats independently. It calls for stronger European innovation in AI as a matter of security policy.