NUCLEAR THREAT INITIATIVE INC

Biological Policy and Programs (NTI | bio). NTI | bio advanced our goal to prevent catastrophic events that could result from accidental or deliberate misuse of modern bioscience and biotechnology, and to drive sustained investment in biosecurity in countries around the world. NTI | bio established the AIxBio Global Forum to develop an international coalition of biosecurity professionals, artificial intelligence experts, and policymakers to advance lasting solutions that reduce risks at the convergence of AI and the life sciences. The inaugural meetings of the AIxBio Global Forum throughout 2024 convened experts and policymakers to identify policy goals and explore technical solutions that can meaningfully reduce rapidly evolving AIxBio risks. NTI launched the International Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative for Science (IBBIS), a first-of-its-kind organization to strengthen biotechnology governance to prevent rapid bioscience advances from threatening global security. NTI and IBBIS launched the Common Mechanism-a free, globally available software tool to screen DNA synthesis orders and to flag potentially risky genetic sequences. NTI | bio published a report, "Developing Guardrails for AI Biodesign Tools," which outlined proposals to safeguard rapidly advancing AI enabled capabilities to design new biological components and systems-to prevent them from being exploited to cause harm. The report recommends pilot projects in two key areas: developing built-in guardrails for AI biodesign tools and exploring new managed access approaches as an alternative to fully open-source model release. NTI | bio is working with industry partners to safeguard the benefits of these tools while reducing risk of accidental or deliberate misuse. NTI partnered with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to launch the International Bio Funders Compact at the 2024 Global Health Security Conference. The Compact strengthens funding-based incentives for biosecurity and biosafety best practices, to reduce the likelihood that funders support unduly risky research and promote safety and security within bioscience research. We partnered with the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association (CACDA) to host Track II dialogues between U.S. and Chinese experts to promote mutual understanding and explore cooperation on governing dual-use research and emerging technology to reduce biosecurity risks. NTI | bio continued to develop stronger international capabilities to disincentivize state bioweapons development. We published an essay collection, Disincentivizing Bioweapons: Theory and Policy Approaches, at the 2024 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Working Group meetings. The essays explore practical approaches to discourage states from developing or using biological weapons. NTI | bio also advanced efforts to enhance transparency in bioscience research and development, to reduce misperception risk and build trust among states. These efforts supported the BWC Working Groups' mandate to develop concrete proposals to strengthen the Convention. NTI | bio fostered the next generation of biosecurity leaders through an annual competition and opportunity to attend the August BWC meetings; Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition winners presented their paper, which examined inequity in biosecurity related to resource allocation and participation in global institutions. NTI's delegation of 11 rising international biosecurity leaders participated in a joint NTI and UNODA Youth for Biosecurity Poster Exhibition, highlighting innovative approaches to advance biosecurity.

Communications and Public Education (COMMS). In 2024, amid heightened geopolitical risks and an accelerating new nuclear arms race, NTI ramped up our public outreach work around the risks posed by nuclear weapons. In the lead-up to the Academy Awards in March, we tapped the buzz around Oppenheimer, which told the origin story of nuclear weapons, to remind the public that while the story is history, nuclear weapons are not. Our campaign reached millions as we blanketed Los Angeles with billboards and posters, shared videos, and created media opportunities, all capitalizing on the symmetry of Oppenheimer's 13 Oscar nominations and today's 13,000 nuclear weapons. We invited people to join us to "Make Nukes History," highlighting that they have a role to play in eliminating nuclear weapons. Our open letter in the Los Angeles Times was signed by several Oppenheimer cast and crew members and Hollywood luminaries like Michael Douglas, Jane Fonda, Emma Thompson, Barbra Streisand, and Kristen Stewart. It drew significant attention from CBS Saturday Morning, USA Today, CNN.com, The Guardian and NHK Japanese Television to Variety and Hollywood Reporter. We also placed a large art installation at Los Angeles' famous Grove Farmer's Market, which served as the anchor point for our on-the-ground activities, and our reach on digital and social media rose well past tens of millions of views across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube. NTI Emeritus Board member and former California Governor Jerry Brown joined NTI Co-Chair and CEO Ernest J. Moniz on an op-ed in the LA Times, titled "Oppenheimer's best performance-reminding us we live in dangerous times." A continuing our work to shift political incentives in favor of nuclear risk reduction and eventual elimination, NTI partnered with Ploughshares on a narrative strategy and messaging guide to challenge the dominate narrative that nuclear weapons keep us safe and connect with a supermajority of the U.S. public. It will be released in early 2025. In August, we launched our fourth annual, social media-based #CranesForOurFuture campaign to mark 79 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Millions joined the campaign, including artists and cultural icons like Yoko Ono, Michael Douglas, and George Takei; global security leaders; current and former top U.S. officials; and organizations including The Elders, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. To see posts from the campaign, go to cranesforourfuture.org. Fashion designers also participated, and pieces from The Cranes Collection were worn by model Paris Jackson and influencer Liz Plank at New York Fashion Week. Communications also worked with Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki on an op-ed in The Seattle Times. In mid-September, NTI launched a Nevada-based campaign to highlight opposition to renewed explosive underground nuclear weapons testing. NTI organized a coalition, "Nevadans Against Nuclear Weapons Testing," comprised of business leaders, elected officials, environmental and community groups. Our poll of 600 Nevada voters found strong bipartisan opposition to testing, which would happen in the desert just 65 miles from Las Vegas. Ernest Moniz spoke to the Las Vegas Review-Journal about the campaign and penned an op-ed in The Nevada Independent, noting that if the United States breaks a three-decade moratorium on underground explosive testing, it could accelerate a new nuclear arms race.