🍸Tech & Tonic: Are we ready to shape Europe’s Synbio future?
In this Tech & Tonic session, we talked about why Europe should claim a stronger voice when it comes to governing the field of synthetic biology.
Across Europe, the labs of tomorrow are taking shape. Synthetic biology a.k.a. the science of designing and constructing novel biological parts and systems (Synbio) is accelerating through the use of artificial intelligence and automation – a growing intersection known as SynbioxAI.
From enabling DNA data storage in living cells to making biomanufacturing more sustainable, this emerging field can bring enormous benefits, but also serious risks if misused.
As AI accelerates synthetic bio research from years to months and generates novel risks, are we prepared for the challenges ahead? How do we build governance frameworks for technologies that are still taking shape? And how can we help innovators in Europe make the most of these capabilities.
These were some of the questions we discussed at this Tech & Tonic session. We looked into into how Europe can support responsible innovation in SynbioxAI, and why it should claim a stronger voice in the global discussions on the governance of this emerging field.
With efforts like the OECD’s work on anticipatory governance and SynbioxAI helping to guide the conversation, we asked: are we ready to shape Europe’s Synbio future?
Speakers
David Winickoff – Head of Responsible Innovation Unit, Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation at OECD
Ashley Noriega – Biotechnology Director at CFG
Nicolas Deruytter – CEO, ML6
