The report of the Scientific Advisory Board's (SAB's) Temporary Working Group (TWG) on Artificial Intelligence (AI) , released on 3 March 2026, marks a significant step in strengthening the Organisation's preparedness in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The report was presented at an event on the sidelines of the 111th Session of the Executive Council.
The report provides a structured, forward-looking assessment of how AI is reshaping chemical science and related disciplines, and what this means for the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. It underscores that AI is no longer a peripheral development, but a cross-cutting issue with direct relevance to verification, industry practices, training, and international security.
Over the course of its mandate, the TWG examined recent advances in AI, consulted experts from academia, industry, and international organisations, and assessed how these technologies may affect both the opportunities and risks facing the Convention.
"Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming how scientific knowledge is produced, accessed, and applied. The report of the Scientific Advisory Board's Temporary Working Group on AI highlights both the opportunities and the challenges that AI presents for the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention," said Prof. Hajar Mousannif, Vice-chairperson of the TWG.
Our work aims to support the OPCW in anticipating technological developments, strengthening scientific awareness, and ensuring that advances in AI are understood and addressed within the framework of responsible and peaceful uses of science and technology," she highlighted.
AI: Opportunities and Emerging Risks
Rapid advances in AI across science, industry, and government are creating both new opportunities and new challenges for the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The TWG found that AI-enabled tools are already transforming how chemical research is conducted. Molecular modelling, AI-assisted synthesis planning, and predictive analysis allow scientists to identify chemical pathways faster and predict the properties and potential toxicity of new substances with increasing accuracy.
For the OPCW, these developments matter. Used responsibly, AI can strengthen the Organisation's ability to anticipate emerging chemical threats, analyse complex scientific information, and prepare our personnel for missions.
At the same time, the speed and accessibility of these tools mean that some technologies that accelerate legitimate research could also lower the expertise and time required to design harmful chemicals that could be weaponised. The TWG therefore highlights the importance of awareness, responsible innovation, and continued monitoring of how AI tools are used in chemistry.
Peter Hotchkiss, OPCW Science Policy Advisor, and Prof. Hajar Mousannif, Vice-chairperson of the Temporary Working Group (TWG) on AI, present the report on AI and the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Implications for Verification and Operations
AI could also strengthen how the OPCW carries out its day-to-day work.
One area is the analysis of large volumes of data. Every year, OPCW Member States submit detailed declarations about relevant chemical activities. AI tools could help organise and analyse this information more efficiently and support experts in identifying patterns, inconsistencies, or trends that may require closer attention.
AI may also help analyse open-source information-such as satellite imagery and other publicly available data-to support mission preparation and situational awareness before inspections or investigations.
Advances in analytical chemistry are another important area. Modern detection systems generate complex datasets from multiple instruments and sensors. AI models designed for specific analytical contexts could help process spectral data more quickly and accurately, strengthening chemical detection and identification capabilities, including in remote monitoring systems.
The TWG report also highlights a broader shift in how chemistry itself is being conducted. AI is increasingly being combined with automated and remotely operated laboratories. As these technologies become more accessible, the way chemicals are designed, tested, and produced could change significantly. This means that the indicators used to understand chemical activities may also evolve. Staying ahead of these changes will be essential for the OPCW.
Participants engage in an interactive activity on the use of AI in chemistry at an event on the sidelines of the 111th Session of the Executive Council.
Why does this matter?
AI is not just a technological issue - it is a development that will continue to shape chemistry, industry, and global security.
For scientists and industry, AI is accelerating discovery and innovation. For regulators and policymakers, it raises new questions about oversight, governance, and responsible use. For the OPCW and its Member States, it means ensuring that these powerful tools continue to support peaceful chemistry while preventing misuse.
AI also offers practical benefits. For example, it can support training through realistic simulations of chemical facilities or emergency scenarios, helping responders and industry professionals prepare for incidents involving hazardous chemicals.
At the same time, knowledge sharing will be key. Scientists, developers, and companies working with AI in chemistry need to understand how their technologies intersect with international norms and obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
What happens next
The TWG report outlines several recommendations to help the OPCW and its Member States navigate these developments.
The TWG recommends that the OPCW:
continue to monitor advances in AI and assess their potential impact on chemistry and the Chemical Weapons Convention;
strengthen dialogue with scientists, technology developers, and industry, helping raise awareness of the Convention and encourage responsible innovation;
explore how AI can support the Organisation's own work, including data analysis, verification support, and training tools, while maintaining strong safeguards and human oversight;
build partnerships with scientific and technology communities, including publishers, developers, and research institutions, to promote responsible use of AI in chemistry;
support knowledge-sharing and capacity-building among Member States, ensuring that all countries can benefit from advances in AI while managing potential risks.
Through these steps, advances in AI should strengthen the implementation of the Convention and mitigate potential risks.
While this is the final version of the report, it remains subject to formal consideration by the SAB at its Fortieth Session in May and subsequently by the Director-General.
Participants engage in an interactive activity on the use of AI in chemistry at an event on the sidelines of the 111th Session of the Executive Council.
Staying ahead of rapid change
AI is already reshaping the scientific landscape. For organisations responsible for international security and arms control, understanding these changes is essential.
By examining the opportunities and risks of AI today, the OPCW is helping ensure that the Chemical Weapons Convention remains effective in the face of rapid technological progress.
The goal is clear: to harness innovation in chemistry and technology while safeguarding the world against the re-emergence of chemical weapons.
Background
The SAB is an OPCW subsidiary body that enables the Director-General to render specialised advice in science and technology to the Conference, Executive Council, or States Parties to the Convention.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention's entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 - totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents - have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW's strict verification regime.
For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
