Bioterrorism threats are rising because of advances in artificial intelligence and synthetic biology, scientists have warned, after researchers found a “striking vulnerability” in software that guards access to genetic material for making deadly proteins.

An international team rolled out patches to close the loophole but said it was the first “zero day” of AI and biosecurity — a term used in cyber hacking to describe a blind spot unknown to the software developer.

The news highlights the growing urgency to deal with potential threats unleashed by the use of AI as it helps deepen and accelerate the understanding of living systems and how to change them. Experts are seeking to prevent the creation of bioweapons and synthetic organisms that could threaten life on Earth.