AI Safety & Responsible AI
Dual-use
Technology that can be used for both beneficial and harmful purposes.
Example
A model useful for drug discovery could also help design harmful substances.
Why it matters
It helps teams weigh benefits alongside foreseeable harmful applications.
You'll hear it
“The same capability could help someone with a very different purpose.”
Can you control it?
Sometimes
Sometimes. Some products or workflows let you influence dual-use, while others keep it fixed or manage it automatically. Check the settings and documentation for the tool you are using.
Common questions
- Does dual-use mean a technology should never be used?
- No. The term identifies a tension; decisions still depend on benefits, risks and available protections.
- Can the harmful use be very different from the intended one?
- Yes. Flexible capabilities can be combined with other tools or information in unexpected ways.
- Does knowing the user's stated purpose settle the risk?
- No. Intent may be unclear, and effects can extend beyond the original request.