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AI Governance Glossary
Governance Concept

What Is Dual-Use Foundation Model?

Dual-Use Foundation Model is a foundation model whose capabilities could be applied to both beneficial uses and serious harm, such as cyber or biological misuse.

Definition

Dual-Use Foundation Modela foundation model whose capabilities could be applied to both beneficial uses and serious harm, such as cyber or biological misuse.

The "dual-use" label, drawn from export-control language, flags that the same general capability can help or harm depending on who uses it and how. It is used in policy to identify the models that warrant the most safety scrutiny — for example around chemical, biological, cyber, and critical-infrastructure risks.

Source: US AI policy; export-control terminology

Plain-language explanation

The "dual-use" label, drawn from export-control language, flags that the same general capability can help or harm depending on who uses it and how. It is used in policy to identify the models that warrant the most safety scrutiny — for example around chemical, biological, cyber, and critical-infrastructure risks.

Primary source: US AI policy; export-control terminology

Related terms

Foundation Model Frontier Model AI Safety

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