Living intelligence, synthetic biology and security with Dr Thom Dixon

Technology and Security

In this episode of the Technology & Security podcast, host Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Dr Thom Dixon, whose work explores biofutures and the bioeconomy. We explore what synthetic biology and bioinformation are and how much of an individual person's information signature is biological. We discuss how AI can learn from biomimicry and adaptive natural biological systems. We explore the future of surveillance plants and how sensing in the environment will operate and what it might mean for national and physical security as well as how a future consumer synthetic biology app will accelerate the fields growth and reach.

The conversation covers Australian biodiversity and potential for functionally useful genetic traits to adapt to climate change as well as role of synthetic biology in climate adaptation and accounting, such as carbon cycling and increasing carbon uptake. This episode includes a quick look at some security threats, including the pervasiveness of DNA data collection (and inability to protect DNA instances), role of AI in mediating information and its potential in influence and interference campaigns. Finally, we discuss the need for policy makers to better understand biology. As we see an increase in cyber-physical (and environmental) systems, policy makers need to improve their understanding of biology and how it interacts with technology.

Thom Dixon completed his PhD at Macquarie University. It explores the development of and use of bioinformation and synthetic biology can impact international relations. He was the Vice President for the Australian Institute of International Affairs NSW. He is a member of the ARC Centre for Excellence for Synthetic Biology and the manager, national security and defence for Macquarie University.

Resources mentioned in the recording:

+ Model’s of Life: https://defencescienceinstitute.com/funding-opportunity/darpa-biological-technologies-hr001124s0034/
+ The Substack: https://biofuturesinstantiated.substack.com/

This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan.